After an incredible start in his return to the club, Allan McGregor’s success shows Rangers have the strongest goalkeepers in Scotland.
The Scotland number one returned to Ibrox in the summer as part of Steven Gerrard’s new Rangers spine. Supporters were initially sceptical, but have now fully taken to the return of their former hero.
Not only has McGregor improved the quality of goalkeeping at Rangers, he’s also improved the mentality. This was a man who was a leader and, more importantly, a winner under Walter Smith. They are the glory days Rangers are trying to restore at Ibrox.
It’s now well into double figures for McGregor in terms of appearances since returning to the club. Therefore, it’s now safe to say that Rangers are the strongest in Scotland in the goalkeeping department.
Sections of the support never took to Wes Foderingham. Some of his shot-stopping from distance could be questionable. His commanding of his box was sometimes too weak, and just didn’t have the it factor.
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But as a first reserve, he’s a great asset to have. With McGregor the total package in terms of what you would want your goalkeeper to have, Foderingham has his slight faults but can easily slot in the odd occasion when he’s needed.
Combined, however, Rangers won’t ever go wanting in terms of quality in the nets.
The three-man situation
It was always going to be interesting how Gerrard dealt with the three-man goalkeeping situation. Jak Alnwick was sent out on loan to Scunthorpe United in England’s League One. Question marks were also raised about how Foderingham would react to being a bench-warmer.
Judging by the Englishman’s reactions when Rangers score goals these days, it would suggest positively.
There’s now not a single side in the country as strong as Rangers are in that department. That alone is a step forward in Gerrard’s rebuilding of the club.
McGregor recently got away with an apparent kick out at Celtic’s Kristoffer Ajer. If he did get suspended, however, Rangers supporters shouldn’t have had any fear with Foderingham slotting in.
The only club who could argue that they have a similar level of quality is Celtic.
Craig Gordon is a fine goalkeeper on his day, but isn’t at the level of McGregor. Meanwhile, Dorus de Vries is laughable whilst Scott Bain made a fair few blunders last season.
It’s Gerrard’s side who have the best goalkeepers in the country. Now, the manager has to make sure all the other areas of the team follow suit.