Jon McLaughlin and Allan McGregor, the two seasoned goalies at Ibrox, cannot be especially happy, according to Michael Stewart, who spoke to BBC Sportscene on behalf of Rangers manager Michael Beale.
In the eight games Beale has overseen, McLaughlin has featured in three of them. The other five are McGregor. McLaughlin made another appearance on Wednesday against Kilmarnock in a 3-2 Rangers victory at Rugby Park.
The problem was discussed on BBC Sportscene’s highlights broadcast following the game. It was speculated that it may have contributed to Killie’s first goal and was responsible for a wobbly moment with a terrible pass in the closing seconds. Ibrox’s goalkeeping situation is uncertain.
When asked if switching goalkeepers frequently is advantageous, Stewart responded that he thinks it will irritate both keepers. In the long run, he claims, Beale “can’t do that,” damaging any simpatico with the defense.
“It’s unorthodox. I’m pretty sure both goalkeepers won’t be particularly enamored by it either. At the weekend, he said McGregor is the no.1. But he’s not played the last couple of league games,” Stewart said in his analysis.
“We’ll see what happens. You can’t do that week to week, chopping goalkeepers. They will lose any continuity with defenders. It’s a little bit strange,” Stewart continued, on BBC Sportscene’s latest show on Wednesday night.
Beale did mention McGregor as the preferred candidate over the weekend, as does Stewart. In spite of McGregor’s age of 40, this is justified. Who will step in to eventually put an end to the alterations, though, is the long-term problem between the sticks.
A keeper is required by Rangers. While McLaughlin has a contract with the Rangers through the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, McGregor is anticipated to retire at the end of the current campaign. Stewart is correct; cutting and changing won’t help us move forward.
