Eck shocked by McGregor retirement ahead of Euro crunch
ALL eyes are on the geegees at Cheltenham and Alex McLeish was yesterday left to lament the loss of his very own Gigi at Hampden. Rangers keeper Allan McGregor is a faller in the forthcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers after deciding to call time on his Scotland career at 37. He informed the national boss of his decision a few days ago and insists it has everything to do with a desire to spend more time with family, rather than a fallout with the SFA over his recent two-match ban. That explanation has raised eyebrows as McLeish revealed it was only a couple of months ago McGregor, who won 42 caps over 12 years, was talking about playing on for another three years for club and country. McGregor was odds-on to start the games in Kazakhstan and San Marino next week but, as Record Sport revealed, even knocked back a plea from Big Eck for one last hurrah in Astana. McGregor underwent back surgery in 2016 and is also protecting his knees, as close pals revealed he has taken injections to play and train in recent times. His retirement opens the door to Scott Bain of Celtic, Jon McLaughlin of Sunderland and Millwall’s Jordan Archer, with Craig Gordon also waiting in the wings as he recovers from a knee injury. McLeish revealed he’s done fluttering his eyes at Southampton keeper Angus Gunn, attracting interest from England’s Gareth Southgate, and the son of his former Dons team-mate Bryan will only be welcomed into the fold if he makes the next move. Still, the talk at Hampden was of McGregor, no stranger to controversy following the infamous Boozegate Row, but who has long since rehabilitated himself in the eyes of the Tartan Army with a string of stunning performances. McLeish said: “I’m gutted, not just for me but for Allan as well. I knew about his aches and pains when he came back in – back and knee problems – and I always wondered if he was running on empty. “We were quite happy every time he was called up that he was fit and came along. He never let us down and was always a strong team player and had BY GARY RALSTON a voice in the dressing room. His experience over the years was invaluable.
“He wants to prolong his club career. We were hoping he would do a Gigi Buffon and stay on until 40 but he has chosen to go and now it’s the chance for someone else.
“It’s not so much Allan saying, ’I don’t want to play for Scotland.’ That makes it sound aggressive. He says he just can’t combine the two any more and Rangers are paying his salary.
McGregor’s influence on the Scotland group could linger long after yesterday’s squad announcement at Hampden, which has opened the door to younger rivals to stake a claim.
He made a stunning stop late on against Israel in November to safeguard a 3-2 victory and passage into the Euro 2020 play-off finals. As last moments go that’s hard to beat.
It was only a couple of months ago McLeish was being quizzed about McGregor over Gordon, but they are no longer involved and now a new generation of goalkeeper will be asked to inspire.
Eck said: “That save against Israel will be remembered for a long time. It wasn’t a spectacular dive or a show of athleticism, but the pure nous of a goalie of that age.
“He showed that experience in terms of positioning and we want the young guys behind him and coming into this squad to take that inspiration.
“If any international manager worldwide had goalies at the age of Allan and Craig they’d probably be a bit concerned they were possibly coming to the end of their careers.
“I wasn’t walking on eggshells with the two boys because they look after themselves well. Greegsy wants to go until he’s 40. He told me that a couple of months ago. He said, ‘I’m determined to get through to 40 for club and country.’ Then this moment comes.”
McLeish is refusing to name his new No.1 at this stage, although Celtic keeper Bain is surely the frontrunner after a string of solid displays.
He said: “We have to wait and see how the players get on in their games coming up before we make assessments.
“Scott is in a good position and moment with Celtic. He is the top choice in one of the top teams in Britain. He is going to be a challenge to guys who are older and more experienced.”
McLeish won’t wait forever for Southampton star Gunn and added: “I’m not pushing for Angus. He’d have a fight to get in the team. He has other opportunities with England until the summer and he’s not making any decision. My focus is on guys I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last few years.”