Rangers goalkeeper Robby McCrorie faces a difficult decision over his Ibrox future ahead of the January transfer window.
That is the verdict of former Rangers stopper Andy Firth, who has been speaking to the Daily Record (22/11, p48).
Rangers knew that Allan McGregor wasn’t going to be around forever, and the time for his exit came over the summer.
Rangers decided to go out and sign another goalkeeper with Jack Butland arriving on a free transfer.
That will have been a big disappointment for Robby McCrorie, who will have surely had dreams of stepping up.
Robby McCrorie faces big decision in January
McCrorie has waited patiently for a chance at Rangers but now finds himself stuck behind Butland in the pecking order.
Now 25 – and ultimately approaching 26 in March – McCrorie may not want to sign up to be Rangers’ backup goalkeeper for his whole career.
One man who knows all about life as a Rangers backup goalkeeper is Andy Firth, who joined the club in the Steven Gerrard days.
Firth, who now plays for Connah’s Quay Nomads in Wales, made just one league appearance for Rangers in more than thee years at Ibrox.
Firth has now stated that McCrorie faces a ‘really tough situation’ because he wants to be Rangers number one but seemingly can’t displace Butland.
The ex-Rangers stopper adds that McCrorie will want to prove himself as suitable for the Scotland squad for Euro 2024, but may well have to consider leaving Ibrox to make it happen.
“It’s a really tough situation,” said Firth. “I know how hard it is to leave Rangers and, let’s be honest, Robby is in a much stronger position than I ever was at the club. He’s been there since a kid, played games and proved his worth. I’ve no doubt he’ll want to be Rangers No. 1 but with Jack coming in, it’s eft him on the back burner a little.”
“He’s got a really tough decision to make. He’ll want to play games but with the way Jack is playing, it’s clear who the first-choice keeper is. It’s an interesting situation for him. He’ll be desperate to get that spot in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad, so he has a big decision to make come January if he wants to make the plane,” he added.
McCrorie bound to have suitors after Manchester United interest
Rangers will of course want McCrorie to stay; he’s homegrown and could certainly step up to fill in for Butland if needed.
Yet there is bound to be interest in McCrorie, especially having impressed during loan spells away from Rangers.
McCrorie hasn’t been short of interest in recent times; The Glasgow Evening Times reported in August that Manchester United had made an approach to sign him.
United ended up signing Turkish stopper Altay Bayindir instead, meaning a move for McCrorie in 2024 seems unlikely.
That report added that Hull City and Polish side Rakow Czestochowa were also keen on McCrorie after Rangers put a £1million asking price on his head.
Clubs may well chase McCrorie in January, with the Scot then left with a tough call on whether to call time on his Rangers career.
