GREEGS IS THE 1 FOR ME
Barry can’t think of a better man to pass baton on to
BARRY FERGUSON couldn’t think of a safer pair of hands to pass the baton of Rangers’ record European appearance holder.
Tonight the Ibrox hero will lose that particular place in Gers history when Allan McGregor makes his 83rd appearance in continental competition for the Light Blues.
And Ferguson couldn’t be happier.
Thirteen years on from taking the honour from the man voted the Greatest ever Rangers player – John Greig – Ferguson has now paid his successor the ultimate compliment.
By naming him as the best keeper he ever had the privilege to call a team-mate.
Lofty praise from the former Scotland skipper.
But it’s only when you delve deeper into his career to discover exactly which shotstoppers the midfielder could rely on in nets that his words hit home.
Andy Goram, Stefan Klos, Joe Hart, Brad Friedel, Ben Foster, David Marshall, Craig Gordon – every one of them a decorated international.
But McGregor – who he reckons is “worth 15 points a season”– tops the lot.
Record Sport columnist Ferguson was speaking as he chose his top performers for our Scotland’s Top 50 footballers of 2020 pull-out which is free in tomorrow’s paper.
He said: “I don’t say this lightly – Greegs is the best keeper I have played with.
“And that’s saying something as I have played with some top, top keepers from Goram and Klos to Foster and Friedel.
“There have been plenty of other excellent keepers too but Allan McGregor has been the standout.
“He’s consistently pulled off big saves at crucial moments throughout his career.
“Even now at 38 he’s not lost any of it. At times when you can be on top of teams and it might look like he’s doing nothing but then his concentration has to be spot on and some of the saves he continues to pull off are ridiculous.
“H e’s got some serious competition for that No.1 jersey with Jon McLaughlin which is excellent to see.
“But Greegs thrives on that, he’s got a real winner’s mentality and is still an absolutely key man for Rangers.”
McGregor was in goal the night Ferguson broke Greig’s record with his 65th Euro appearance in Light Blue in a low-key 2-0 Champions League qualifying win over Zeta.
That was in July 2007 – 10 months after the keeper had made the first of his continental appearances in a goalless draw with Molde in the UEFA Cup.
It was the breakthrough year for the goalie who had gone out on l o an to Dunfermline and St Johnstone while biding his time for the chance to impress at Ibrox.
In 2007-08 he was in inspired form as Walter Smith’s side stormed all the way to the final of the UEFA Cup – with the keeper agonisingly missing out on the semi-final and final through injury.
Victory over Standard Liege tonight would seal a place in the last 32 for Rangers.
But no matter what, McGregor’s place in history will be sealed. And Ferguson would love the chance to pay tribute to his old pal personally.
He said: “When I had John Greig’s record in sight I was desperate to break it because he is a real legend.
“I’ll never forget him giving me a wee memento that is still up at my mum and dad’s.
“But records are there to be broken and I’ll be the first to congratulate Greegs when he breaks mine.
“Hopefully I’ll get a chance to hand over the baton in person.”
I don’t say this lightly – Greegs is the best keeper I’ve played with BARRY FERGUSON HAILS GERS’ NO.1 MAN