Gilks amazed English clubs failed to snap up Mcgregor

SCOTLAND keeper Matt Gilks admits he’s amazed that no English Premier League club made a move to pick up Allan McGregor this summer.

A free agent following his decision not to transfer his contract to Charles Green’s newco in the wake of the Rangers’ liquidation, McGregor had been expected to join several of his Ibrox teammates in securing a new club in the top flight south of the border.

Yet while Steven Naismith (Everton), Steven Whittaker (Norwich), Steven Davis (Southampton) and even youngster Jamie Ness (Stoke) were all quickly snapped up, the 30-year-old ended up looking at his options overseas.

Turkish club Besiktas won out in the end, tempting McGregor to Istanbul on a two-year contract, but Gilks, who has played in the Premier League with Blackpool, was left mystified that all 20 clubs should decide not to take advantage of the rare Bosman opportunity.

‘I was shocked no one in the Premier League took him,’ said Gilks, who made his Scotland debut when he replaced McGregor during Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Australia. ‘I couldn’t believe it, I thought someone would, especially when there was no fee involved, just the wages.

‘He’s definitely up at the top end, one of the best keepers I’ve worked with — and I’ve worked with a lot.

‘I can’t understand why no one came in for him. He wouldn’t be out of place at the very top. He would have got his feet under the table after a few weeks and his qualities would have started coming out. He’d have fitted into any Premier League team.

‘It’s strange because you look at the other guys who came from Rangers like Whitts and Naisy going to Norwich and Everton — there’s quality there at Rangers and throughout Scottish football.

‘That just makes it more of a mystery why Greegsy never got picked up. It’s strange, but they’ve missed out.’

Now plying his trade in the Championship, Gilks has had to be patient as he waited in line behind

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