This Europa run trumps Class of ’08 for McGregor

THE long and storied career of Allan McGregor may well be approaching a spectacular climax over these next few weeks. Out of contract in the summer, it now looks increasingly likely the veteran goalkeeper will leave Ibrox at the end of the season.

If this is to be the end of the road for the 40-year-old, then playing in a European final would be a hell of a note on which to bow out.

McGregor admits that reaching the Europa League final would top anything he has achieved throughout his career at Rangers.

He feels it would even surpass the run to the final in Manchester in 2008, when McGregor missed the showpiece against Zenit St Petersburg due to injury.

It will be no mean feat. Standing in Rangers’ way is an RB Leipzig side who, along with Bayern Munich, have been the form side in Germany since the turn of the year.

They sit fourth in the Bundesliga, and the calibre of opposition has parallels with 2008 when Rangers triumphed in the semi-finals against an impressive Fiorentina side who went on to finish fourth in Serie A that season.

Looking back at the European progress made in recent years, McGregor was in reflective mood as he prepared for tonight’s clash at the Red Bull Arena.

Asked if this ranks as one of the most satisfying runs of his career, he said: ‘It has got to be. Threeand-a-half years ago, I don’t think anybody thought we would qualify for the groups. And then each year we have progressed. I don’t know how we are going to progress next year, right enough.

‘It has been an unbelievable achievement from all the boys and staff throughout the three-and-ahalf years. It has been a good run.

‘Whether it is the best or most consistent run... it probably is. It has definitely got to be up there.

‘You just take each game as it comes. We have done well and we deserve to be here.

‘I am glad we are here. It will be a big occasion for the club, a big occasion for the players and we just need to go and enjoy it.’

With such a wealth of experience in the game, McGregor (right) has learned to savour success and cherish the good moments.

The recent Scottish Cup semi-final victory over Celtic was a prime example. Now in the twilight of his career, he soaked it up as much as possible.

Asked if reaching the Europa League final this season would trump 2008 given that he missed out due to injury, McGregor said: ‘If we win, it probably will. It was obviously disappointing last time, but it is a different challenge and a wee bit further on in my life.

‘It will be special for every player. To get to this stage of a European competition for the club is huge.

‘Probably after the games I try to savour it more with the fans. Even after the game at Hampden (against Celtic), I was walking about savouring the atmosphere.

‘It is something I am maybe conscious of doing now and savouring things more.’

If Rangers are to progress against Leipzig, the likelihood is that McGregor will have to produce the sort of European heroics for which he has long been renowned.

He has produced some vintage performances on the continent in recent years, making big saves in big games — just as he did during his first spell at Ibrox.

The danger man for Leipzig is likely to be Christopher Nkunku, the young French forward who has scored 30 goals in 48 games this season. Nkunku is one of the most sought-after young players in Europe and will have a host of top clubs chasing his signature in the summer.

McGregor, though, insists he won’t make any special plans to deal with the Leipzig man.

‘You do your due diligence beforehand but it is a game of football, as if you are playing any other team,’ he said. ‘That is not being disrespectful. You just face the challenges that come ahead and that’s it, regardless of who you are playing.

‘Again it is not being disrespectful. I think against every team, whenever they have a chance to score at that time, it is about dealing with it.

‘It doesn’t matter if it is him (Nkunku) that takes a shot or whoever takes a

shot. If you are playing a team in the semi-final of the Europa League, you still need to save it or deal with it.’