NO SECOND GUESSING BOSS ON WHO WILL BE FIRST-CHOICE KEEPER

STEVEN GERRARD has fired the starting gun on a three-way contest to become his first-choice goalkeeper in the new season. The Rangers manager brought Allan McGregor back to Ibrox this summer, adding to the existing options provided by Wes Foderingham and Jak Alnwick. Gerrard is adamant he has yet to decide who will fill the role in the opening Europa League qualifier against FK Shkupi of Macedonia on July 12. However, with youngster Robby McCrorie also in the mix, he accepts one of his senior goalkeepers may soon be squeezed out of contention. Asked if he had a first choice in his head, Gerrard replied: ‘Not right now. I had a conversation with the three lads. ‘Robby is very young and he is in a great position where he can learn from the three of them but at the moment, right now sitting here, I don’t have a No 1 in my head. ‘They have all started very strongly but I know I am going to have to have a tough conversation with one of them in the coming weeks. ‘I think right now they all see themselves as No 1s and they have still got time to impress and stake their claim for No 1. ‘But I am not stupid and I know the three goalkeepers are desperate for that position. ‘Certainly, one of them is not going to be happy in the coming weeks but that is life, there is nothing I can do about it.’ With seven summer signings already made and others set to follow, Gerrard knows further exits may be required later in the window to balance his squad. ‘I haven’t been told that but I am also aware that if we get the areas sorted out that we feel need sorted it will make the squad too big,’ he added. ‘We will have to edge a few out, be honest with people and say to them that maybe they are not going to get the game time they want. ‘That is football at this time of year and all players are aware of that. ‘But they are making it very tough because training has been very intense, it has been quality and everyone is pushing to stay here, which is a good thing. ‘If there is one thing that I am really delighted with it is the application and focus and that people want to be here. ‘I’m not sure how it was before, but everything we have asked of them in terms of lifting standards and pushing, everyone wants to be part of it, which is great.’