It’s a position that most Rangers fans are pretty much in agreement with that needs to be sorted. If not now, then certainly in the summer. Michael Beale labelled Allan McGregor as the best goalkeeper in Scotland - then played Jon McLaughlin days later.
The chopping and changing between the two means he either thinks he’s blessed with two great keepers or he can’t decide which one is best. But it’s fair to say neither of them have inspired confidence this season. It’s a situation that wasn’t really addressed in the summer, and has come back to bite the Ibrox side.
McGregor is still an incredible shot-stopper and pulled off match-winning saves in the Viaplay Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen at Hampden. But he was criticised for failing to come off his line at the Dons goal, as well as one that was chopped off for offside.
McLaughlin is seen as the better of the two when it comes to crosses but was found flapping twice in the early stages at Kilmarnock corners on Wednesday - the second of which resulted in a goal. It just heightened the frustration among fans and it needs to be addressed, arguably this month with two cups up for grabs or if Beale doesn’t feel it’s as urgent as that then he needs a new No. 1 for the start of next season, with the Ibrox boss promising Robby McCrorie a run-out before the end of the campaign to stake his claim.
Speaking on BBC Sportscene, pundit Michael Stewart said of the current situation: “I'm pretty sure the goalkeepers are not overly enamoured by it (alternating). At the weekend, he said Allan McGregor is the number one but he's now played the last couple of league games. Wait and see over a longer period what actually happens because you can't do that week to week, game to game, chopping and changing goalkeepers You'll lose any sort of continuity or partnership with defenders which is what they've started to get with their centre halves, Goldson and Davies, playing a little bit more.”
Fellow panelist and ex-Ger Richard Foster said: “McLaughlin is in the team because he's better at coming for crosses, but on two occasions he's caught in absolutely no man's land. Gets his position all wrong, starting position's wrong. He doesn't attack the ball well enough, he could've conceded a goal before from Ash Taylor. He gets himself stuck behind the defenders, it's an in-swinging corner. He should probably be two yards off his line and then when he gets the flight of the ball, he can in front of the two defenders. He ends up running behind them and he's got no chance of getting the ball.”
But who is available and who, realistically, could Rangers go for? Record Sport has picked out five potential keepers who might fit the bill.
Seny Dieng
If we are looking at obvious choices then the it would be the Senegal International who featured at the World Cup in Qatar and also had a spell on loan at Dundee. After seven years at Loftus Road, he has established himself as the No. 1 choice and Michael Beale spoke highly of him during their time together in west London. At 28, he’s at a good age and has plenty of experience. He also has just one year left on his contract so it’s a deal that could be struck, although there has been reported Premier League interest with the likes of Everton linked. At the time of Beale’s QPR departure, Dieng had conceded 24 times and had the 13th best record in the English Championship for goals against. The Londoners, at that time, had conceded 23.7xGA, meaning Dieng has been letting in goals at a rate that would be expected of him. And he even proved effective at the other end with an equaliser in a crazy game against Sunderland. Beale said after that Stadium of Light thriller: “Seny is a modest young man, says a few words. What a magic moment for him. He is the first goalkeeper to score for QPR and the 900 or so fans who have made the round trip with the train strike, they get to say I was there. He has made a couple of great saves as well.”
James Trafford
The Manchester City man is half the age of Allan McGregor and has already been linked with a move to Ibrox. But, currently on loan to Bolton Wanderers, Trotters boss Ian Evatt ruled out a departure from the University of Bolton Stadium in January. “There is no recall option, so James will be here for the rest of the season,” he said.
But what about in the summer? Trafford is an England Under-21 International and certainly fits the profile of young talent which Beale is keen on. He was rewarded with a bumper Etihad deal last January which keeps him at the English giants until 2027. It could be that a season-long loan in the summer is Rangers’ best option. His shots saved percentage is 77% compared to 61% and 64% for Allan McGregor and Jon McLaughlin respectively.
Dan Bentley
The Bristol City man is club captain so possesses the leadership qualities Michael Beale would be looking for. He has been out of favour under Nigel Pearson and his contract is up in the summer to he fits that bill in that sense. However, Stoke City have been linked with the shot-stopper as have Premier League outfit Wolves so there would be competition. Bentley hasn’t featured since October so will be looking for game time and Alex Neil’s Potters are said to want an initial loan move this month with a view to a permanent move, so it’s one where Gers would have to act quickly.
Alex McCarthy
The Southampton man was in and around the England squad and made one appearance in 2018. He was a Premier League No. 1 last season but has fallen down the pecking order under new boss Nathan Jones. McCarthy has settled for appearances in the Carabao Cup this season but even then lost his place in that tournament to first choice keeper Gavin Bazunu, who was signed in the summer. McCarthy’s situation could be compared to Joe Hart in that he is ready for a change and the chance to be No. 1 again and Hart’s move to Celtic hasn’t worked out too badly. At 33, he’s at a similar stage of his career as Hart when he moved to Parkhead and Southampton, where Gers sporting director Ross Wilson worked, probably wouldn’t be difficult to deal with.
Karl Darlow
Has spent almost a decade at Newcastle United but isn’t going to be first choice and could move on soon, with reports suggesting he wants to move this month in search or regular game time. The 32-year-old has played just once this season in the EFL Cup and has even lost his place on the bench to Martin Dubravka, who is back up to Nick Pope. The Magpies also have Loris Karius and are looking extend the German’s short term contract. With the prospect of a St James’ Park exit this month, then he could be an option.
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