Looking after No.2
RANGERS GOALIE HUNT
STEVEN GERRARD is hunting for another striker to unlock defences and help Rangers shoot down Celtic’s bid for 10 in a row.
But according to former Ibrox No.1 and goalkeeping guru Jim Stewart, one of the most important acquisitions for the manager would be at the opposite end of the park. Or on the bench to be precise.
He reckons Gerrard will be on the lookout for a top-class deputy for Allan McGregor to give Rangers the foundations to go on the attack in one of the biggest seasons for years.
He points back to their last title triumph in 2011 as the perfect example of a glove affair that can reap rewards.
Neil Alexander was the man charged with keeping McGregor on his toes. The experienced former Scotland international understood the role and carried it out to perfection for five years under Stewart’s tutelage.
Half of his 94 appearances for Rangers came in one season
BY FRASER WILSON after McGregor left in 2012. But for five years as understudy he still picked up three SPL titles, three League Cups and two Scottish Cups as well as playing in the UEFA Cup Final in 2008.
Wes Foderingham’s exit has left a huge void in the goalkeeping department for which Stewart’s son Colin is now head coach.
And despite the huge potential in Robbie McCrorie and the untried Andy Firth, Stewart Snr expects another keeper to arrive. He said: “The back-up goalkeeper has such an important role even if he doesn’t play for long spells.
“First and foremost they have to have the ability to do the job when called upon but they also push the No.1 in training and keep him on his toes.
“Rangers need someone who knows exactly what they are doing when they go in there.
“Someone like Neil Alexander when he came to Rangers. Neil knew exactly the parameters of the job – he came to be back-up to Allan if and when required.
“But when he was presented with the opportunity he proved what a good goalkeeper he was.
“And you just have to look at the number of big games Neil ended up playing in – including the UEFA Cup run. When called upon he was excellent but he also knew Allan was No.1.
“There was no grey area and that’s one of the biggest things if you are bringing someone else in to compete then both goalkeepers know exactly what is happening so that there’s no ambiguity in terms of selection.”
With Foderingham’s departure, McCrorie is next in line for the No.1 shirt at Ibrox.
But after a season in which he excelled on loan at Queen of the South before switching to
Livingston and proving himself in the top flight, Stewart reckons another loan stint in the Premiership would be the perfect launchpad for the Scotland Under-21 star to make a push for McGregor’s shirt in a year’s time. He said: “If I was still at Rangers I would be advising Robbie to have another season as first choice in the Premiership if he could.
“He is an excellent prospect and has done well for Scotland Under-21s as well. But he needs to be playing regularly.
“Playing for Rangers is a massive task and with Allan being there and as the model of consistency then in my eyes it would be far more beneficial for Robbie to go and play another season.”
JIM STEWART GIVES HIS IBROX VERDICT
“That would give him the regular game experience he needs.
The back-up keeper has such an important role even if he doesn’t play for long spells