GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST has backed Allan McGregor to play a leading role on and off the park at Ibrox after committing himself to Rangers for another season.
The 40-year-old has put pen-to-paper on an extension to his contract and will now challenge Jon McLaughlin for the number one jersey in the coming months.
Van Bronckhorst has also signed up Scott Arfield, Steven Davis and Connor Goldson in recent weeks as he builds his squad for the new Premiership campaign and a crack at the Champions League.
And the Dutchman is delighted to have McGregor on board for another campaign after he ended doubts over his future by signing on the dotted line on Monday.
Van Bronckhorst said: “Allan brings us invaluable experience and leadership both on and off the pitch, and I am really pleased he has chosen to stay with us for another year.
“I have been really impressed with the positive influence he has on our players, and also the dedication he has shown to still be a valuable asset for us in a playing-sense at the age of 40.
"I feel it is important to have players in our dressing room who really understand the club, and Allan certainly is one of them."
McGregor looked to have played his final match in a glittering Ibrox career when he came off the bench during the Scottish Cup victory over Hearts last month.
But he has now opted to pull on the gloves for another 12 months as he prepares to return to pre-season action with Van Bronckhorst's side next week.
“I’m obviously delighted," McGregor told rangers.co.uk "At the end of last season, there were a lot of games and a lot of concentration on the games.
“I then had a couple of weeks’ holiday and really thought about it and spoke to a lot of people about it, and everybody said to play as long as you can.
“After the break, that’s what I was thinking myself, so here we are.”
