Ally: I was stitched up by Martin on live TV
IBROX GLOVE STORY New Ger Jon reckons battle with Greegs for top spot at Ibrox will land him more caps
ALLAN McGREGOR retired from Scotland – now Jon McLaughlin hopes the Rangers keeper can help prolong his international career.
The former Hearts No.1 joined the Light Blues yesterday on a free transfer from Sunderland as Steven Gerrard continues his summer recruitment drive.
McLaughlin, 32, was a regular at the Stadium of Light for the last two years but is relishing the chance to push McGregor all the way for his place at Ibrox.
The Edinburgh-born keeper has played twice for Scotland, most recently in October’s 6-0 thumping of San Marino.
He hopes the move boosts his chances of impressing Steve Clarke still further as the Scots prepare for a string of crunch World Cup qualifiers and the Euro 2020 play-offs.
McLaughlin said: “It has been slightly difficult with the league situation in England but hopefully this can further my reputation and help in terms of how it is viewed by Steve Clarke and the Scotland set-up.
“Greegsy’s a fantastic goalkeeper and I’ve worked with him in small parts before in the Scotland setup and some other places.
“It’s always great to get to work with people of that standard and again, that was a big part of this, working with someone who is going to be at that level day in and day out. Hopefully that will benefit me.
“I’m also looking forward to working with (goalkeeping coach) Colin Stewart. It’s all part of the package that sold the club and made me want to make the move.
“I can bring my experience, given the age I’m at now and the number of games I’ve played, as well as the level and the clubs I’ve played for.
“They have all helped me become the goalkeeper I am and I’m still very hungry and feel I’m at a good position in my career and have a lot to offer.
“Hopefully I can just come and help to improve the overall standard of the squad, of the goalkeepers, and do whatever I can to help this team.
“It’s a very proud moment for me
BY GARY RALSTON and the family. It’s great to be back up here in Scotland and we are very proud to have made the deal happen. I’m really looking forward now to getting back to football and starting my next chapter here with an amazing club.”
McLaughlin has become Gerrard’s third summer signing after midfielder Ianis Hagi and full-back Calvin Bassey as they bid to wrest the championship from Celtic’s grip.
McLaughlin said: “I’ve played for a couple of clubs that attract large crowds with big expectations and hostile atmospheres.
“And I’ve got experience of playing at Ibrox when I was at Hearts. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the feeling. I already have an idea of what it’s going to be like but playing for the club will be a different experience I’m really looking forward to.
“It’s always great when you’ve got a few familiar faces in the building who can help you to settle in. I’m getting to know the other lads as well. It’s a good group here, there are plenty of new faces coming in who will be in the same boat.”
Gerrard moved for McLaughlin after Wes Foderingham’s contract expired and Jak Alnwick went to St Mirren. Robby McCrorie, currently in contract talks, is tipped as a long-term successor to McGregor and is likely to remain on loan to Livingston in the new season.
Gerrard said: “We have tracked Jon for a long time now. There is one position available and it’s a shoot-out to see who is in the best form. Allan has been terrific, really consistent.
“Jon is aware of that but wants to come in and put as much pressure on him as he
can.”
BY GRAEME YOUNG
ALLY McCOIST has revealed Martin O’Neill’s ruthless streak left him looking foolish on live TV.
The Rangers icon was working with the then Leicester boss for BBC during the 1998 World Cup with the pair on duty for the semi-final between France and Croatia.
Speaking to talkSPORT, McCoist said: “It was a classic. It was World Cup 1998 and I was in the studio with Martin, Des Lynam and Alan Hansen.
“Croatia went 1-0 up in the semi and we were looking at the goal. We were in agreement that French full-back Lilian Thuram was to blame.
“He was hanging about and was guilty of not playing offside
“We went to a wee break and I said, ‘Martin, we need to get a look at that again, I think it’s Bixente Lizarazu, I think Lizarazu drops back,’ and sure enough Martin says ‘You’re spot on Ally, it’s Lizarazu who drops back.’
“So we come back after the break and Des says, ‘What about that goal there, what happened there Martin?’ and Martin said, ‘I was just explaining to Ally, he thought it was Lilian Thuram that played them onside but it was actually Lizarazu.’
“He’s killed me, he’s absolutely hung me out to dry. Absolutely genius.”
‘Rangers don’t just need good footballers but also nasty players who’ll put pressure on officials and go face to face with other teams’