Walter believes Mcgregor has the ability to join class of Goram and Woods

[Boab 73]

Golden gloves

by Darrell King

Woods, Goram, Klos were heroes to the fans and legends between the sticks . . . now Walt tips Mac to join this elite club

A YEAR ago they were both very much players with a lot of convincing still to do.

Alan Hutton and Allan McGregor embarked on a pre-season campaign just 50 miles or so away from where Rangers currently find themselves based this summer and could not have dreamed what was about to unfold.

Hutton, given the backing of a new five-year contract 12 months ago, was to propel himself to stardom with stunning performances in the Champions League, and also in the colours of Scotland.

And McGregor, so often viewed as the back-up man to a succession of keepers, finally stepped forward and became No.1 in his own right.

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Inside a Rangers squad that is more or less levelled with decent, but not top class players, that pair along with Carlos Cuellar shone like beacons.

When Hutton followed the bright lights to London in January, Spurs paying £9million to take him south, three quickly became two in terms of Walter Smith's prize assets.

The money was good, far too much to turn down for a defender who was effectively just a couple of years into a top flight career.

But that decision to sell Hutton fuelled fans' fears that McGregor, and indeed Cuellar, would be moved on if similar types of offers came in.

As the summer began, and talk of Premiership interest grew in the 25-year-old goalkeeper, there was a strong feeling that he would depart. But that was ended when, just a couple of weeks ago, he agreed a new five-year contract.

It remains to be seen if he stays for that length of time, and if his development continues there are bound to be more admirers.

As for Cuellar, Smith reported that there have been no offers at all for the Spaniard. Indeed, the rejected bid for Kris Boyd from Cardiff City, and a couple of offers for fringe man Alan Gow that were accepted without a deal being done, are the only incoming bids that have been tabled.

Smith, although clearly aware of the financial situation should massive offers arrive, would like it to stay that way from a footballing side of things.

And he is also delighted that McGregor has been tied down, the Rangers manager describing it like almost signing a new player when you get a key man secured on that kind of deal.

Having worked with the talents of Chris Woods and Andy Goram in his first spell at Rangers, and having admired Stefan Klos from afar, Smith believes that McGregor is more than capable of hitting that kind of standard of goalkeeping.

The Gers boss said: "It was a huge boost for us when Allan signed on. When something like that happens it's almost like a new signing.

"We're delighted to get Allan tied down and know we just need to get him back fit, which he nearly is after the ankle injury back in April.

"I worked with Chris Woods and Andy Goram and there's no doubt Allan has the class and ability to join that unique club.

"He can be as good as them I am sure. Allan had to wait a while for his chance at Rangers, he even went out on loan. But since he got the jersey he hasn't really looked back.

"I think a lot of people who knew him knew his potential. There is no doubt that last season he started to fulfil some of that potential.

"We always thought he would be a really good goalkeeper and that's how it's turning out. It was a shame he got injured when he did last season and missed the run-in to a season he had played a big part in."

McGregor may feature against Schalke this weekend, but it's more likely he'll get some part of matches against Clyde and Raith Rovers back in Scotland next week as Smith prepares for the first Champions League qualification tie on July 30.

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