WHAT A SAVE!
McGregor and goal from Helander keep Rangers in the hunt
STEVEN GERRARD hopes Allan McGregor will sign on for next season at Rangers after the veteran goalkeeper produced a ‘world-class’ save to secure a vital Europa League draw in Prague. McGregor dived low to somehow halt a 90th-minute header from Slavia substitute Lukas Masopust on the line as this last-16 tie
was left perfectly poised ahead of next week’s second leg at Ibrox. Nicolae Stanciu put the Czechs ahead on seven minutes, but Filip Helander levelled despite a sluggish first-half display from the new Premiership champions. Rangers were much improved in the second period and had chances to take the lead before McGregor’s moment of brilliance. The 39-year-old’s contract is up at the end of the season but Gerrard confirmed talks over an extension are already underway. ‘I’ve spoken about it before, how much we rate Allan, how much we love him here, how much we want to carry on,’ said Gerrard. ‘At the same time, I’ve told you guys I will respect him. He knows what’s on the table. ‘He’s in discussions with the club and from where I’m sitting, I just hope we get it over the line and sign him up for another year because he is more than capable. ‘I know that on a daily basis by working with him and watching him closely. The decision is going to be down to Allan, not us. Because we certainly want him. ‘I thought there were a few big, pivotal moments in the game and opportunities for both sides to get the winner. ‘Allan has come big for us again and it is a top, top save to get it back and drag it back into his grasp. It was another world-class save.’ Connor Goldson couldn’t quite connect with a 69th-minute header that could have given Rangers a first-leg advantage. Gerrard, though, had no complaints about claiming a draw at a stadium where Slavia haven’t been beaten since November 2019. And he was delighted by the resilience his players showed in the wake of last weekend’s title celebrations. ‘We were coming up against a team with a fantastic home record, domestically unbeaten,’ said Gerrard. ‘So we knew the challenge was very big against a powerful team who like to play at a high intensity. ‘We needed to be ready for that but after the week we had it was quite tough. Credit to the players, they rolled their sleeves up and dug in. ‘After a slow start where we were a little bit second best, the players’ performance was really positive from my point of view. We have put the tie in a real good position and that was always the gameplan before a ball was kicked — can we set it up for Ibrox next week? ‘One thing you can never fault this group for is fight, effort and application. Again, we got out of the game what we deserved.’ Rangers levelled after a Borna Barisic free-kick cannoned off Goldson’s thigh. Ianis Hagi reacted well to keep the threat alive and Helander netted. ‘When we analysed this team, one of the areas we saw opposition teams getting success was at set-plays,’ added Gerrard. ‘It was a decent delivery and it is about who reacts the quickest. ‘Ianis has gambled and done ever so well to drag it back. You expect one of your attacking players to go and score but it was big super Fil, the prolific centre-half from Sweden.’