Rangers, the Glasgow giants, returned to the top-flight of Scottish football last season following four years of absence but failed to draw an end to famous rivals Celtic‘s sheer dominance in domestic competitions. They were thought to be more prolific this term in order to reclaim the lost status but spent another full campaign in Celtic’s shadow.
The gamble of appointing Pedro Caixinha did not work out for the club as the former boss failed miserably in transfers and tactics as well. He was succeeded by Graeme Murty, club’s U20s boss, who is set to be replaced next season and despite some influential winter signings, the Light Blues still lack quality in their lineup and are no match to Celtic’s elegance and supremacy in Premiership football.
Rangers, therefore, are eyeing another squad overhaul in summer and looking to add more experienced and respected names who are still playing at a top level with distinction. But the rumour of club legend Allan McGregor’s sensational return will excite the supporters most as the 36-year-old Hull City custodian is likely to pen a two-year deal upon expiration of his contract with the Championship outfit at the end of the ongoing campaign.
He has been preferred as the Tigers ‘number 1’ over former Celtic keeper David Marshall and still has to offer plenty of football between the sticks before hanging up his boots. McGregor, the Rangers academy graduate, spent more than a decade at Ibrox, featured 278 times at the senior level and won the league and the Scottish Cup thrice as well as five League Cup titles before moving to Besiktas.
He also holds experience of Premier League football, thus, will add values to a new-looked Rangers side that are still going through a transition and a phase of rebuilding.
However, the Gers already got a quality custodian in form of Wes Foderingham who has been the first-choice since 2015 and played his part in their return to the top tier last season. Jak Alnwick is contracted until 2020, hence likely to be retained as the alternate option.
But it is quite unlikely there will be three senior goalkeepers in their ranks and McGregor’s arrival might see Foderingham making a switch elsewhere. The Scotsman is reportedly accepting a pay cut to return to Glasgow due to family reasons and likely to reject an offer from Premiership counterparts Hearts who are also keen on bringing him at Tynecastle to replace departing Jon McLaughlin in goal.
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There are still a lot of works to be done in summer to redefine Rangers’ Premiership relevance, but acquiring Allan McGregor will certainly be a strong statement of intent. They need an esteemed personality to take charge of the managerial role and the supporters might once again dream of the long-lost glory days drawing an end to this ongoing nightmare.
