JAK WANTS TO HIT THE JACKPOT
GARY RALSTON
g.ralston@dailyrecord.co.uk ALLAN McGREGOR boasts a starting 11 to be proud of – three titles, three Scottish Cups and five League Cup badges were harvested in his first spell with his boyhood club. The 36-year-old keeper has more top honours than the rest of his Rangers team-mates put together. But for understudy Jak Alnwick that trophy haul is proof he’s learning by the side of one of Scottish football’s best – and reckons his experience could prove vital as his new team-mates bid to emulate his success at Ibrox. Alnwick, 25, was given the first half of his side’s 3-0 friendly win over Wigan at the weekend, while Wes Foderingham came on after the break and saved a penalty from Will Grigg to make it five games in a row for Gers without conceding. McGregor will be back between the sticks tomorrow when NK Osijek visit for the second leg of their Europa League tie and another clean sheet will take Gers to within four games of the group stage. Alnwick said: “Allan inspires the whole the team and not just the defence. You look at what he has achieved at this club and every one of us in that dressing room also wants to achieve that. “A lot of people look up to him to try and win trophies and push on this season. He’s a good character to have in the dressing room and we can always look to him for a bit of information on what it was like when Rangers were winning all the trophies. He’s brilliant to have around the place and although he’s not captain he is a good voice.
“He’s terrific to work with on a daily basis. We had a tight knit group of goalkeepers last season and he has come in and been really helpful to me, Wes and the young lads.
“All three goalkeepers are different. Greegsy has done brilliantly since he has returned. His experience is vital and there’s also competition with me and Wes which pushes you to do even better.
“We’re all good friends and the rivalry is healthy. We’re all working for the benefit of Rangers and whoever has the shirt we want them to do well for this club. You’ve got to thrive under the challenge.
“Greegsy’s arrival has helped the club and we all want to help this team, that’s why we’re at Rangers. I’m going to push him as hard as possible and hopefully it makes him better.
“I hadn’t come across Allan in England, although I saw a lot of the games he played up here. He did so well for the club in the past so I knew what he was all about. He has played at the highest level over such a length of time and it only underlines his status as a top goalkeeper.”
Alfredo Morelos swooped with a vital away goal in Osijek to hand his side the advantage ahead of the return but the Croats were denied goals in each half when McGregor made a couple of top-drawer saves.
He was also key against Shkupi in the previous round and Alnwick acknowledges the former Hull star will be vital to the ambitions Rangers are looking to fulfil.
‘I see Parkhead is to host the PRO14 rugby final next year. Scott Brown must surely be a certainty to play’
“Last year we weren’t quite there and it didn’t click but it looks like everyone is working for the team to keep a clean sheet. If we work as hard we’re also going to score goals at the other end.
“We’re only at half-time in the tie with Osijek. It was nice to get the away goal but they are a good side with dangerous players and we must be at our best to beat them here.
“We need to go from minute one in every match we play because we can’t rest for five minutes.”
It was a message hammered home by Gerrard at half-time in the friendly game against Wigan because he was angry at the sluggish start his side made to the game.
His team talk ignited his charges who blew the Latics away early in the second half with three goals in a 10-minute spell.
Former Newcastle kid Alnwick added: “We weren’t good enough in the first half. We need to remind ourselves of the standards we set and the expectation from the fans.” Rangers be to stop Celtic winning eight in a row when they have taken back a guy they booted out, Allan McGregor, and now they’re pursuing another, Lafferty, who cut and run when the game was finally up? Great to see and it’ll all be to no avail as Celtic will be too strong once again.”
A new season must be upon us because fans of the big two are already sharpening their rapier wit.
said: “I was wondering why David Gray, Graeme Shinnie and James Tavernier have all been posing with Celtic’s trophy in the papers? Hope they enjoyed the experience because that’s the closest they’ll get to it.”
said: “I see Parkhead is to host the PRO14 rugby final next year. Scott Brown must surely be a certainty to play.”
said: “As a Rangers fan I’m surprised by Tavernier’s comments regarding a title challenge. He’s one of our best players going forward yet one of the worst defenders in our team who should never have been given the armband.
“If we do manage to mount a title challenge it certainly won’t be down to his ability to defend. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gerrard eventually hands the armband to McGregor or Connor Goldson.”
said: “Gerrard seems to know what he needs and where he’s going within his financial limitations. His squad are up for a battle and the first half dozen games will be crucial. Brendan Rodgers knows this and I’m sure Celts are good enough to win the league again but must turn up and not drop needless points like last year.”