Barry Ferguson heaped praise on goalkeeper Allan McGregor ahead of him potentially joining Rangers in the summer.
The former Gers midfielder was asked about the keeper reportedly heading back to Ibrox and Ferguson couldn’t hide his delight at the idea of his former teammate being a Rangers player once again.
“Allan is probably the best goalkeeper I’ve played with – and I’ve played with some top ones like Goram, Klos, Hart, Ben Foster and Friedel,” Ferguson told the Daily Record.
“I’ve seen a few of Allan’s games on TV for Hull City and saw the Scotland game over in Hungary, it’s what Rangers need.
“He’s different class as a goalie but he’s also a strong character and that’s what that place needs. He knows the demands and the pressures.
“There’s a lot of good players at Rangers but can they handle the pressures and the demands upon them?
“That’s my worry, he will go in that dressing room and he will demand from guys and he will make sure he gets the best out of them.”
The Scottish Sun reported on Wednesday that McGregor’s return to Ibrox would be sealed in the next 24 hours, with him set to join the club in the summer once his current Hull City contract expires.
The 36-year-old previously played for the Gers, making 250 appearances for them, before departing the club as a free agent when they went into administration in 2012.
However Ferguson had nothing but kind words to say about the goalkeeper and suggested his performances could win over fans still hurt by his original departure.
“Allan wasn’t just a loony bin, he was an absolute loony bin, but he had everything as a keeper,” stated the former Gers midfielder.
“He’s still got that daft streak but that’s what I like about him.
“He’d be a top signing but he might have to deal with the reaction of the fans over his departure, all you can do if you come back is make sure you perform on the pitch.”
OPINION
Fans will soon forget any ill feeling they have towards McGregor if he puts in some dazzling displays to earn the Gers some vital clean sheets next season. The 36-year-old will no doubt want to make amends with Gers supporters as he probably holds the club close to his heart after working his way up to the first-team from the academy. Even if fans take a while to warm to the veteran goalkeeper at least his former teammate Ferguson has his back. Ferguson clearly rates the goalkeeper very highly and is delighted to see him back at Ibrox. It’ll be interesting to see how the veteran goalkeeper fairs in this spell at Rangers, as given his age, he has to make an instant impression.