Ex-Rangers captain Barry Ferguson went on record this week claiming that Rangers must sure up their defence before taking on their rivals in the Scottish League Cup finals in December. Ferguson says that the side looks strong, but his only concern is the back four (PLZ Soccer).
Within the interview, Ferguson made this claim about Rangers’ shot-stopper Allan McGregor: “I think the goalkeeper’s no issue – I think he’s the best in the league.”
Allan McGregor picked up a slight knock in a match versus Motherwell a few weeks ago and sat out against Ross County (The Scottish Sun). But the goalkeeper returned to the lineup in the sides’ win over Hearts in the Scottish League Cup semi-final where McGregor earned himself a shutout.
Prior to the Porto match, McGregor has only conceded 0.56 goals per 90 minutes for Rangers in the 2019/2020 season. This is the Scottish goalkeeper’s best statistical year of his career. His second-best year was last season, where he only conceded 0.65 goals every 90 minutes. His third-best season was in 2015/2016 when he only let in 0.66 goals per 90 minutes when playing for Hull City. Every other season McGregor has averaged more than one goal per 90 minutes of football (footystats.org).
There may not be any coincidence between McGregor’s sudden decrease in goals-against coming after joining Rangers. Perhaps this suggests that Rangers’ defenders aren’t as shaky as Ferguson may have first thought?
One thing is for certain though. McGregor is a brilliant goalkeeper. His statistics don’t lie, and anyone who watches the goalkeeper play will agree that he has kept his team in games. A big double-save at the end of the Porto match in Portugal was vital in keeping his team in the game (WhoScored.com). Steven Gerrard will be looking towards McGregor to be a leader in his side as the English manager attempts to lead Rangers to their 55th league title.