Jon McLaughlin deserves the chance to be Rangers No1.
That's the verdict of former Light Blues goalkeeper Cammy Bell.
Uncertainty still surrounds Allan McGregor's next move with the veteran yet to decide on his Ibrox future.
Reports claim a megabucks two-year deal from the UAE has come the way of the 40-year-old as he decides whether to play on or hang up his gloves.
Bell believes former Hearts star McLaughlin faces a real make or break summer as he bids to land the top jersey from Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
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The Scotland cap is in no doubt the 34-year-old can step up to the plate and with a run of 20-30 games he can be even better.
McGregor has regularly won Rangers points and trophies by making huge saves and Bell says McLaughlin just needs the chance to show he can do similar.
Speaking to the Daily Record, he 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.
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“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 match-winning 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.”
