Allan McGregor will take his place between the sticks at Ibrox on Saturday for his milestone 500th appearance with a packed CV from more than two decades over two spells with Rangers.
A dozen major trophies, two UEFA Cup runners-up medals (one final appearance) and 223 shut-outs. And who could have predicted that when it all started with a 17-minute cameo at the modest surroundings of Forfar Athletic's Station Park as he came off the bench in a 6-0 Scottish Cup rout of the Loons?
Alex McLeish was the man who handed him his debut and Saturday is sure to be an emotional occasion for McGregor, albeit he doesn't often show it on the rare occasions he does conduct media interviews. Goalkeeping coach at Ibrox at the time of his first of 499 appearances, Billy Thomson, lost his cancer battle last month, last summer idol Andy Goram also died with his managerial mentor Walter Smith dying nine months earlier. All three were huge influences on his career.
Rangers boss Michael Beale says the man who signed a one-year extension last summer might not be finished yet, despite many believing this will be his final season. Beale said: "Allan is a cornerstone to everything that’s been good about this club since I came in 2018 and I think he can be hugely proud. He is not finished yet – it will be 500-and-something. It won’t be 500, it won’t end there. But I think the service that he has given this football club, as a young boy coming through our academy, is absolutely outstanding.
“To achieve 500 games for Rangers is a very special achievement. Very few have done it in the past, certainly to the age that Allan has played and the achievements that he has had for the club. In the time I have worked with him here he is probably on the best part of 200, nearly 250 games. He has been outstanding. Some of the saves that he has made… there are too many to mention. Every season he has earned us points, he has won us games and got us through to the next round in cup competitions."
With Dundee United the visitors at Ibrox on Saturday, here, Record Sport looks back at the line up in that rout of the Loons where it all started for the 41-year-old shot-stopper.
Stefan Klos
A huge influence on McGregor. The German made way for McGregor late in the 6-0 win in February 2002. Spent nine years at Ibrox after joining from Dortmund.
Fernando Ricksen
Dutchman was voted joint Player of the Year in Scotland along with John Hartson in 2005. A close friend of McGregor who was a big supporter of his charity for MND which he died from three years ago.
Lorenzo Amoruso
Former club captain spent six years at Ibrox after joining from Fiorentina and won nine major honours.
Tony Vidmar
Signed by Walter Smith from NAC Breda and became a utility man during his time in Glasgow.
Arthur Numan
Vastly experienced Dutchman signed in Dick Advocaat’s first season and won 10 major trophies.
Barry Ferguson
Ex-skipper and Record Sport columnist remains a close friend of McGregor’s after forming a bond with him as two players who came through the ranks.
Neil McCann
Former winger is now a regular pundit on Rangers TV and has frequently showered McGregor with praise.
Stephen Hughes
The midfielder came through the ranks at Ibrox alongside Allan McGregor and the duo were close friends.
Andrei Kanchelskis
The Russian was on the scoresheet in that hammering of Forfar with the fourth goal but didn’t live up to his big money reputation.
Shota Arveladze
Georgian netted a double at Station Park in that Scottish Cup stroll and picked up five trophies at Rangers.
Billy Dodds
Former Scotland striker and now manager of Inverness Caley Thistle, the frontman netted a treble against Forfar.
Substitutes
Maurice Ross
Defender was in charge of Cowdenbeath until departing Central Park last week and came through the ranks alongside Allan McGregor.
Russell Latapy
Former Trinidad & Tobago international joined Rangers from Hibs and was introduced at half time at Station Park.
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