Former Rangers star James McFadden has admitted that the Scottish national team are disappointed to be losing veteran goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
The 37-year-old stopper announced that he would be calling time on his international career on Monday evening, as reported by the Guardian, and Scottish assistant McFadden was quick to express how much the Ibrox favourite will be missed.
Speaking to BBC Sportsound, as quoted in the Scottish Sun, he said: “We are very disappointed to lose a top class goalkeeper but understand his decision.
“The manager spoke to him and Allan made it clear that it’s to do with his body and he wants to make sure he is getting a rest during international breaks to allow to play his club football and he is well within his rights to do that.”
“Obviously we are disappointed and the manager tried to get him to change his decision but his mind had been made up.”
OPINION
No wonder McFadden is disappointed, but when all is said and done, this is probably the right time for McGregor to call it a day. 37 is some age for any player, let alone one competing at the top of his domestic game and on the international stage as well. By ending things now, the stopper has given Alex McLeish plenty of opportunity to find a suitable replacement prior to a Euro 2020 campaign that will have the Scots feeling optimistic. For Rangers fans, many of whom will be gutted to lose their number one at the highest level, this could prove to be a really good move. Surely approaching the latter stages of his career, the more they can eek out of McGregor the better. He has been exceptional since returning to Ibrox under Steven Gerrard, and the long that his current purple patch can be extended for, the longer that the Gers will reap the rewards.