BT Sport pundit Stephen Craigan expects Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst to sign a new goalkeeper at Ibrox this summer.
Craigan was speaking on the Go Radio Football Show following reports that the Ibrox club had opened talks with veteran shot-stopper Allan McGregor about a new contract.
The Daily Record revealed that the club were looking to include a coaching role in the renewed contract, but McGregor isn’t thought to be keen on that aspect, while it is understood that he won’t be guaranteed the No 1 spot next season. However, Rangers Review writer Joshua Barrie stressed that discussions had not yet commenced.
Experienced 34-year-old Jon McLaughlin is seen as the club’s second-choice netminder in front of Robby McCrorie, but Craigan has tipped the manager to bring in a new No 1.
Is McLaughlin good enough to be no.1?
Yes
No
He said: “If Giovanni van Bronckhorst is looking and thinking, ‘Allan McGregor is going, I can’t have someone under Jon McLaughlin because Robbie McCrorie’s that’. So I would imagine he will go for one above him, and the challenge then for McLaughlin is to try and get the better of him.
“That’s how I would imagine he would do it.”
TIF Thoughts on Rangers’ goalkeepers…
While former Gers player Cammy Bell has urged McCrorie to quit the Light Blues for the sake of his career, McLaughlin, who was tipped by former manager Steven Gerrard to challenge for the No 1 jersey, looks finally set to do so.
He made just 16 appearances last term, starting seven of the eight domestic cup matches and including all five in the Scottish Cup – and was replaced in the final minute by McGregor in what looked like his farewell appearance as the Teddy Bears defeated Hearts 2-0.
The Ibrox outfit have been linked with Bosnian goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic as their bid to find McGregor’s successor is seemingly underway, which Craigan believes is necessary, especially considering McLaughlin is also in the twilight of his career.
Could McGregor play another season for Rangers?Yes
No
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But perhaps McGregor and the club officials will meet to work out a solution and the 40-year-old will remain between the sticks after all.
What a new ‘keeper joining and McGregor deciding to stay would mean for McLaughlin and McCrorie, though, remains to be seen.