Rangers were defeated by Red Star Belgrade 2-1 in Thursday evenings Europa League last 16-second leg, but it didn’t matter as the Ibrox side progressed to the quarter-finals as Giovanni van Bronckhorst faces a contract dilemma over Allan McGregor.
McGregor was the star of the show (how many times have we heard that over the last 15 years?) and arguably kept us in the tie during a nervy first half. Ryan Kent scored to make it 1-1 with just over 30 minutes left and despite a late Red Star penalty, Rangers prevailed.
The performance by McGregor could present Gio with a major conundrum, as his contract expires at the end of the season and no talks as of yet about an extension.
Van Bronckhorst faces contract dilemma over Allan McGregor as Rangers progress to Europa League quarter-finals
This is the furthest the club has been in Europe since the famous run to the 2008 UEFA Cup final and we only have McGregor to thank.
Even at 40, his reflexes and shot-stopping abilities are incredible. He has had his critics this season for a variety of mistakes, most recently against Ross County and Motherwell, but his presence is vital.
It would have been easy for Gio to drop him following these mistakes which led to dropped points in the title race, but the faith shown in him has only inspired his Euro performances.
A landmark 100 European performance looms on the horizon, as the Red Star second leg was his 99th appearance for the Ibrox side in continental competition.
The time may be right for the 40-year-old to call it a day at the end of the season and who could blame him. Let’s just hope that the Ibrox side can end the campaign on a high, although he may have his arm twisted if these Euro performances continue.
Meanwhile, official Rangers partners Bengaluru have congratulated the Ibrox side on a monumental milestone.
