It's dubbed one of the toughest positions in football. The No.2 goalkeeper.
Starved of minutes for months on end then expected at the drop of a hat to step in and perform.
Cammy Bell did it in his last campaign at Rangers. Jon McLaughlin has been second choice for the past two.
But according to Bell the time is now for the 34-year-old to step out of Allan McGregor ’s shadow and finally prove he’s No.1 material at Ibrox.
Bell has never doubted the keeper’s credentials but his performances in the Scottish Cup triumph last season – none more so than the semi-final victory over Celtic – convinced him that McLaughlin’s the real deal.
The stats back it up too – 21 clean sheets in 30 top-team games spread over two years for Rangers, the last coming in the Hampden victory over Hearts.
Bell isn’t convinced McGregor will be hanging up the gloves this summer. But if the veteran decides to stay on for another campaign or if a new keeper is brought in, he is adamant it’s only fair McLaughlin is given a fair crack of proving he is the first choice between the sticks.
This is, he says, make-or-break time for the back-up. Bell said: “Jon has all the qualities to be a top keeper for Rangers. He has shown that already in big games and especially the Scottish Cup run.
“He has everything to be a Rangers keeper. Maybe he just needs a run of 20-30 games consistently and then we could see how he reacts to the pressure of doing it week in, week out.
“But he is definitely ready to be Rangers’ first choice. If he gets the opportunity then I’m sure he will grab it. He’d be really disappointed if he never got that opportunity.
“It’s a real make or break summer for him and he’ll be going into pre-season thinking ‘this is my chance’.
“Of course if Greegsy decides to stay on then I can’t imagine he’d settle for being a No.2 so Jon would face another massive battle for the gloves. But he definitely deserves the chance.
“His stats are incredible. The number of clean sheets he consistently keeps. Jon is a calming influence and his personality is perfect for a job of that size. He’s a laid-back character and never looks flustered.
“He’s commanding and will come out and take crosses to relieve the pressure. He’s good with his feet and distribution is excellent. He can make big saves. But can he make the big, big matchwinning saves like Greegsy? That’s still a question.
“The saves Allan has made all his career to win trophies and get through big ties in Europe and the type of saves that can turn a game on its head. Jon just needs the chance to show he can make them too.
“Being back-up goalkeeper is difficult. I was second choice for a season behind Wes Foderingham. I had been injured and Wes came in, took the gloves and his opportunity. Wes is a good guy and was playing fantastic. All goalkeepers support each other.
“But each week and each game you have to prepare yourself mentally just in case you need to step in even if you might not be called upon for the entire season.
“Then you feel like you have to produce a faultless performance. To be fair Jon has done that. I’m sure the manager has 100 per cent faith in him. Keeping him in place for the Cup semi-final against Celtic and the final against Hearts showed that.
“You’ve got to remember he has been competing against one of the greatest goalkeepers in Scottish history. So it’s been a difficult task for him getting an opportunity.
“But I’m sure he will be a real good No.1 for Rangers and with a run of games then he will get even better.”
Bell made 57 appearances for Rangers, winning the League One title in 2014, before losing his place to Foderingham in his final season at Ibrox.
He may have hung the gloves up two years ago due to injury but his membership of the goalies’ union remains in place – not that it’s helped him work out McGregor’s next step.
The 40-year-old is understood to be in talks with Rangers about his future while there’s been reported interest from abroad.
But no matter the make-up of the Rangers goalkeeping department next season, Bell insists McLaughlin has to be given every opportunity to make the No.1 position his own.
He said: “Allan is keeping his cards really close to his chest.
“The longer that it goes on the more I think he’s considering continuing with Rangers.
“I’m not sure he would want to go abroad, I think he’d want to finish his career at Rangers. I know he’s no fan of pre-season, the old grind when your body gets older is no fun.
“He might be trying to avoid as much of that as he can and maybe just slide back in towards the start of the season!
“Jon will be bursting to show he is ready to take over the mantle though and deserves that opportunity.
“As I said, he’s pretty much has the full package and that’s why he’s been involved with the national team.
“That will be his aim as well, to be No.1 at Rangers and get back fully involved in the Scotland squad and push Craig Gordon for the jersey.”
