McGREGOR CAN COME INTO HIS OWN

ALEX McLEISH has confirmed that he will hand Allan McGregor the chance to re-establish himself as Scotland’s first-choice goalkeeper.

The 36-year-old, who has only made two friendly appearances for his country since his last competitive cap against Gibraltar in 2015, is in line to start Friday’s game against Costa Rica.

McGregor (right) has risen back up the pecking order thanks to the knee injury that has forced Celtic’s Craig Gordon on to the sidelines and also his own club form that has kept David Marshall out of the Hull City side.

Although McLeish utilised Gordon during his first spell as national coach, McGregor will be encouraged to make the position his own.

He said: ‘If Craig had been playing he would have been first choice but Allan McGregor has been chosen as first choice and it is now up to him.

‘It’s open. Obviously Craig has been an amazing servant and I’m not going to say he’s not going to play for Scotland ever again if Allan is absolutely marvellous. But it makes it hard for you.

‘If McGregor has shut-outs, it makes it tough for any rival for his jersey to get back in.’