Rangers loanee Robby McCrorie continues to struggle at Livingston, with the young keeper failing to make an appearance for three months.
Livi are on a remarkable run of form, winning eight of their last nine matches in all competitions, seeing them rise to fifth in the Premiership table and reach the League Cup semi-finals.
The only game they haven’t won since Gary Holt’s departure as manager in late November was their 0-0 draw at Parkhead on Saturday.
The run is good news for pretty much everyone at the Tony Macaroni Arena. Except, perhaps, McCrorie.
The Scotland youth international is very highly thought of at Rangers and is contracted until 2023. Many regard him as Allan McGregor’s natural successor as Ibrox no.1.
However, with three months passing since his last competitive appearance at Livi, he’ll no doubt be frustrated and concerned that his progress is stalling.
McCrorie started the season as first choice under Holt and made ten Premiership appearances, but an error in a home defeat to Kilmarnock in October and a series of subsequent setbacks have cost him his place in the side.
The Gers loanee was ineligible to face his parent club the week after that Killie loss and he then tested positive for Covid-19 in November following a trip to Greece with Scotland U21s.
Former Poland youth international Max Stryjek benefitted from McCrorie’s absence and has continued between the sticks following the appointment of David Martindale as manager.
Stryjek has kept six clean sheets in his last nine matches in all competitions and looks very settled in the side.
Martindale recently claimed that he expected McCrorie to fight for his place and to see out the season at Livi [Scottish Sun] but only time will tell whether or not Rangers also see that as the best way forward for their much-heralded prospect.
Another Rangers keeper’s big international hopes look to be fading fast as he also struggles for competitive game time.
