Alan Hutton reckons the end is near for Allan McGregor at Rangers and says Michael Beale must sort out the goalkeeping department at Ibrox.
The 40-year-old veteran looked set to hang up the gloves at the end of last season, even claiming on the Hampden pitch after a Scottish Cup triumph over Hearts that the future was uncertain. McGregor, however, penned a one-year extension and has seen a battle for the number one jersey with Jon McLaughlin go back and forth with previous Rangers boss Gio Van Bronckhorst keen to give the latter a chance.
McLaughlin was put under scrutiny for errors including during a 4-0 defeat to Celtic in September, with McGregor often chosen ahead of the 35-year-old but Beale seems to be open to giving both a shot. When quizzed on letting third-choice youngster Robby McCrorie go out on loan for experience, the boss claimed he wanted the stopper as part of his squad.
READ MORE: We 'signed' Nicolas Raskin for Rangers in January transfer as Michael Beale's second Ibrox signing
And names such as former Stoke City keeper Asmir Begovic have been floated as potential new signings, but Hutton isn't keen to bring an older goalie to Ibrox this year. The pundit wants to see Beale look for the magic combo of experience and youth and can be a reliable, steady number one.
He told Football Insider: "Begovic has got lots of experience behind him, he can handle the situation of being at Rangers and being number one.
“But personally I would like to see them bring somebody in who has got experience but of a younger age, somebody that is going to be the number one for a number of years to come. A team that you can build around about them, I think that is what they need as well.
"Allan McGregor, as fantastic as he has been, is coming to the end. Jon McLaughlin has had plenty of opportunities. Even though he has come in and done well I think he needs competition. McCrorie we have hardly seen.
“For me, moving forward for the future of Rangers, they need to bring in somebody of a decent age that they can rely on for a number of years.“
READ NEXT:
- Billy Gilmour's four word Todd Cantwell Rangers transfer message after 'battle fever on' rally cry
- Michael Beale's Rangers Celtic 'mind games' a cry for help as pundit shares transfer theory