Former Scottish footballer turned pundit Alan Rough has criticised Steven Gerrard’s ‘disruptive’ decision to drop Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
Over, the weekend, the Gers shipped two goals inside the 16 minutes and had to stage a comeback to rescue a point away against Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League.
McGregor did not start the game, with Jon McLaughlin taking his place, and the poor defensive performance how now led to some questions over the selection.
While speaking on the PLZ Soccer Show, Rough explained that he understood why Gerrard may feel inclined to not play McGregor due to his age, but he claimed the decision is ultimately hurting the team.
He said (01:50): “That solid Rangers defence that we saw last year is there no more.
“I know why he’s not playing Alan McGregor, obviously with his age and you know maybe he carries some wee injuries there. But I think it’s disruptive, you know, switching your goalkeeper all the time.
“It’s as disruptive for the back four.”
TIF thoughts on Allan McGregor and Rangers…
Last season, Rangers’ defence was excellent as Gerrard as his team romped to their first league title win in 10 years.
Indeed, during the campaign, the club even broke Celtic’s 114-year record for consecutive clean sheets at the start of a Scottish top-flight season with a 4-0 win over Dundee United.
Should Steven Gerrard play Allan McGregor more often?
Yes
No
They finished that season with the ‘most stubborn defence the Premiership has ever seen’, and McGregor was the clear first choice, playing 42 games across all competitions.
This season, however, he has been in and out of the team, starting just four league games out of a possible 11 – across all those matches, the Scottish side have kept just three clean sheets.
Perhaps Rough is right to suggest Gerrard should put his faith back in McGregor whenever he can.
In other news: “Will want to finish that project” – Pundit can’t see title-winning manager joining Newcastle