To Russia with glove... W

RANGERS Ibrox legend and Brighton scout makes case for the defence ahead of Europa

DAVID Weir is gainfully employed these days keeping tabs on Brighton’s loan players but the Rangers defence remains his specialist subject.

Joe Worrall – worked with him as a player at Nottingham Forest. Connor Goldson – tried to sign him for Nottingham Forest.

And then there is last line of defence Allan McGregor, a man who he reckons is every bit the goalkeeper he was during their time together at Ibrox.

Unlikely scenario, granted. But if he needed someone to make a save to save his life, he knows exactly who he would turn to.

“Allan has been exactly what Rangers hoped he would be,” said Weir, appearing on behalf of BT Sport.

“I think he is as good as he was before. He was a top keeper back then, so to have that longevity and performing at that level is all credit to him.

“He has shown he has not lost any of the attributes he had in the past and has kept Rangers in a lot of games, especially the European ones, with is performances. It is great to see him doing so well because I know what it means to him to play for Rangers.

“He always makes big saves at big times. When you have a snapshot of someone that is what I think of him – saving Georgios Samaras’s penalty at Ibrox and saves at different stages of games.

“When you need someone to make a save for you, you wouldn’t want anyone else. That will be reassuring for the players, staff and fans of the club.”

McGregor’s emergence is even more remarkable given that Wes Foderingham – a mainstay under Mark Warburton and Weir – didn’t appear to be doing too much wrong. “In my time at Rangers I couldn’t fault Wes,” said Weir. “I am sure Allan’s signing would have raised a few eyebrows because they had two good goalkeepers there and were bringing in a third. But if you look back now, it has been a great signing.

“Wes has done nothing wrong. I am sure he will be frustrated but, on the other hand, he will look at Allan and say to himself ‘he isn’t bad, is he?’”

Weir sees the similarities between Steven Gerrard’s Rangers and the one he played in a decade ago under Walter Smith. Back then they didn’t think they would reach a continental final either. Both sides are built upon a resilience from the back and those 162 games he spent over five years at the club,

‘‘ Allan has shown he has not lost any of the attributes he had

plus another two as assistant manager, give him an instinctive insight into what it takes to succeed back there.

Worrall has divided opinion in his time at the club, but Weir feels he is blessed with the kind of mentality to handle playing on this stage – or indeed the English Premier League. To put it another way, any mistakes he makes are unlikely to affect him too much.

“Joe Worrall’s a young player but he’s definitely got the mentality and ability to play at Rangers,” said Weir. “He’ll enjoy the challenge and embrace it and want to win. If he makes a mistake or has a bad day then it won’t affect him too much.

“He’ll get back on with his job. He’s playing in Europe for England at a younger age group so he has had the exposure and I know they rate him highly in the