Thomson: McGregor is Scotland’s No 1
Kevin Thomson today hailed Rangers stopper Allan McGregor’s winning mentality – and insisted that the veteran keeper is Scotland’s No 1.
McGregor has been in terrific for both club and country and showed his class again at Hampden on Monday night as he pulled off a vital save to deny Albania during Scotland’s 2-0 win in the Nations League.
With Celtic custodian, Craig Gordon, also staking a claim for the Scotland jersey, Thomson reckons Alex McLeish is fortunate to have two quality keepers at his disposal.
But the ex-Gers star believes the No 1 shirt is McGregor’s to lose and backed the Ibrox ace to continue his renaissance and be the main man between the sticks.
He said: “He is the best goalie I’ve ever played with. He’s a winner and he knows what it takes to succeed at this club.
“When you have class you have class and you never lose that. Fortunately for these goalies, they can last until their 40s unlike us players.
“I think he edges it over Craig. I’ve always thought that, but that’s my opinion. They are both top class and we are fortunate. It can only be healthy for Scotland that they will fight it out and keep each other on their toes.
“The biggest attribute he had when I was at Rangers was that will to win. In five aside in training I’ve never seen a goalie try so hard to stop a ball going in the net. Even if his team were down three or four.
“But he would never moan and would just try harder. It’s a will to win and an attitude to be the best you can be. That is what sets him apart.”