When I read that Allan McGregor could stay at Rangers for another year as a back-up keeper, I almost choked on my breakfast.
Not because I thought he might be retiring. He could well sign a deal at Ibrox if that’s what he and the club agree on.
I haven’t spoken to him about it so I don’t know.
But Allan McGregor as a No.2? Maybe only playing in 20 or 30 per cent of the games next season?
No, I just don’t see that happening.
I know him well enough to know that it wouldn’t suit him.
Obviously, he’s 40 and there is going to be a time when he decides to hang up his gloves.
But when he does, he won’t want it to be off the back of playing a handful of games for Rangers.
He might as well just go now because Greegsy would not want to be that guy.
If Giovanni van Bronckhorst tells him there’s a year’s deal on the table but Jon McLaughlin will be No.1 and he would be back-up, I don’t think he’d like it.
At one point in the season, I thought he was all set on retiring.
But towards the end of the campaign, he was wavering.
From speaking to mates in the game like myself, Alan Hutton and others, we probably told him the same thing – to play on as long as he could.
I’ve said to him myself that by staying at Rangers, he’s not dropping down a division or level. He’s not jumping from club to club.
He’s exactly where he wants to be. And you’re a long time retired.
For me, he’s still the Rangers No.1.
The Scottish Cup Final, when he came on for the final few minutes, was a just-in-case scenario.
A final bow in the event it was his last appearance for the club.
But if I was him, I wouldn’t be retiring. I’d stay on for another year if possible.
If Allan McGregor is still training and playing the way he always does a manager would be crazy not to play him.
When you’ve got a keeper of that quality there, you pick him.
Rangers have an able understudy in McLaughlin and a talented young keeper in Robby McCrorie.
But these guys need to prove they’re better than Allan McGregor – not the other way around.
It doesn’t matter what age you are.
Those two need to show they’re capable of putting points on the board for Rangers almost single-handedly.
That’s what Greegsy has done consistently over a number of years.
McGregor doesn’t need to prove himself at Rangers. That’s up to the others.
Of course, a lot will depend on what’s being offered.
What would his role be exactly if they’re talking about a new deal?
Those questions need to be answered.
But believe me, if McGregor is still in the building as a player, McLaughlin will need to be some goalkeeper for the manager to make him his first pick.
Is he capable of deputising for McGregor at times? Absolutely.
But is he capable of doing what McGregor manages on such a regular basis? I don’t think there are many goalkeepers who could.
It would be a massive call from van Bronckhorst not to have McGregor as his first-choice keeper next season IF he’s still at the club.
I just can’t see it happening, if he’s still there.
With regards to a potential coaching role, that seems like a natural progression for Allan within the club.
After everything he’s achieved there, it seems like the next step if it’s something he wants to get into right away.
But I believe he’ll play as many games as he wants next season at Rangers if he decides to stay.
Even now, he’s worth between eight and 10 points a season.
He’s contributed massively in runs to two European finals, 14 years ago and then last term.
He’s made saves at critical moments which, in my opinion, not all goalkeepers can make.
If he wants to go out on top at Rangers, that might mean he wants to win the title back from Celtic.
That’s on him. But I still think he has a lot to offer.
He would be two months into his retirement and think, ‘I should have stayed on’. I’ve no doubt about that.
If he does go, do Rangers look for someone in Scotland to compete with McLaughlin?
I know free agent Benjamin Siegrist has been linked with Celtic but he would come into that category.
Liam Kelly is another. He’s a boy I know well and he’s already been at Rangers.
He knows the place and is similar in his mindset to McGregor.
Those two could help provide competition – but are they at Allan’s level?
I just don’t think you’ll ever get another McGregor.
That’s the problem.
All you could hope for is to get someone with the right mentality and character.
Maybe then you can become that guy who improves because of the demands put on you at Ibrox.
But you’re not going to get anyone as good as Greegsy, it’s impossible.
McLaughlin played well in the Scottish Cup Final. But is he a
Rangers No.1? We don’t know yet.
He’s not a McGregor but then no one is.
It’s not just about the contribution he makes on the pitch with his saves.
It’s his mentality. When you’ve got experienced guys like that in the building, it’s invaluable.
If I was Ross Wilson or at the club as part of the coaching set-up or, I’d be doing everything I could to create a role or a position – and make it sound as appealing as possible – to keep him at the club.
His mentality is just different to other players.
He knows what’s required to win leagues, cups and big European ties for Rangers.
It’s about setting the standards for the next group of players, what it takes to play for Rangers.
McGregor and the likes Steven Davis, Connor Goldson and James Tavernier know how to conduct themselves – they’re role models to the young players and new signings.
These boys are vital in ensuring players know what it means to wear that shirt.
That’s why a deal should be on the table for Allan.
