Allan’s a top goalie and is still our No.1 ..he made a save at training this week that the squad all applauded him for
Beale tribute to veteran keeper
To everyone inside Hampden it looked like Allan McGregor’s last hurrah for Rangers.
A one-minute cameo off the bench in a Scottish Cup Final victory appeared to be the perfect send- off.
Even 300 mi les away in Birmingham, Michael Beale was convinced it was the end for McGregor at Ibrox.
So much so, he messaged the veteran keeper to congratulate him on a sterling career.
The reply from the 41-year-old summed up his mentality. And let his future gaffer know there was still life in McGregor yet.
Instead of hanging up his boots after the cup win over Hear ts, he agreed a new 12-month contract and is now Beale’s undisputed No.1.
At the end of this term the manager wants to sign a new goalie – but that won’t change his opinion on McGregor.
Sure, he has given understudy Jon McLaughlin some game time since taking over from Gio van Bronckhorst. He’s also keen to give injured third-choice Robby McCrorie a chance to impress.
But Beale knows the guy he can rely on most.
McGregor is expected to be back between the sticks for today’s Scottish Cup tie against Partick Thistle at Ibrox.
And the Gers gaffer said: “My relationship with Al lan is superb. We’re the same age so can share our life experiences!
“Seriously, it’s great – as it was when I was here before.
“There’s a lot been said and written – but he’s the No.1. I’ve made that clear.
“I haven’t spoken to Allan about it [his future] yet. There’s no rush.
“Last year was similar, the club left it to Allan to decide how his body felt at the end of the season. That will be the right thing [to do again].
“We’ll either achieve some of our goals or not. And that might move the goalposts for everyone.
“I actually texted Allan after the Scottish Cup Final last year and said: ‘ What a career.’
“He came back to me and said: ‘It’s not done yet.’ That was a hint straight away.
“In the last few years, he’s won the league, the Scottish Cup and reached a European final.
“He’s achieved everything you’d want in the game.
“Allan is a fantastic keeper because of the way he’s managed himself. He’s so professional.
“That’s the reason he’s able to do it at this age.”
Beale would love to have McGregor at the peak of his powers in his side.
But he knows that to sign a goalkeeper of his calibre – and 15 years younger – would be beyond Rangers’ budget.
During training on Friday,
McGregor pulled off a save that had the rest of Beale’s squad CLAPPING.
He said: “We wouldn’t be able to afford a 27-year- old Allan McGregor so have to make one, which happened when he came through here.
“He came back to the club in 2018 when I came in under Steven Gerrard.
“He’s been incredible, in terms of some of the saves he’s made.
“At the end of training on Friday, he made an absolutely incredible save and every player was applauding him.
“There’s no doubt in my mind about Allan’s level. And it’s not just the goalkeeping – it’s the experience and knowledge he gives in the changing room.
“He’s first here in the morning and always working. He doesn’t want a day off, he just wants to keep going.” But how long can McGregor go on for?
The general consensus is this will be his final season at Ibrox.
But listening to the manager, you’d be foolish to think McGregor won’t be at Ibrox in some capacity.
Beale said: “There are players out of contract and a lot of things are up in the air.
“This team were hurting when I came in, people were frustrated at the way things had gone.
“We needed a mending process where we had to get consistent results quickly – then we’d deal with everything else later on.
“Genuinely, no one has knocked on my door and wanted an ultimatum or a timescale.
“And I’ve not done anything the other way either.
“My relationship with Allan is strong and I genuinely haven’t spoken to him about it. I want to see what’s here right now.
“I’ve given Jon access to play and want to give Robby the same opportunity.
“Al lan understands that because of his age. He knows I have to see what’s here.
“Because I don’t want to be looking for three goalkeepers in the summer.
“Robby will be 25 soon, he’s been in Scotland squads, played in this league for Livingston, played in an Old Firm and European game for Rangers.
“So it’s important I give him an opportunity.”
The cup competitions give Rangers and Beale their best chance of silverware this season.
The league title might be out of their reach but they’re in the Viaplay Cup Final on February 26 and he’s determined to go all
the way in the Scottish Cup too. During his first spell at the club under Gerrard, he suffered some painful knock-out defeats to the likes of St Johnstone, St Mirren and Aberdeen.
He has urged his players – not just the ones out of contract this summer – to secure their future by getting their hands on silver.
Beale said: “Losing those cup ties when I was here before was extremely tough. But that is what drives you – they are the warnings ahead of Sunday.
“I’ve told the players about the need to own the shirt if they’ve got it. That’s the motivation for the players.
“People keep talking about players who are out of contract and are they playing for their futures here?
“But so are the players who are in contract because we want to evolve and grow.”