Michael Beale has made no secret that a new goalkeeper is likely to be on his summer shopping list at Rangers.
The Ibrox manager admits that he’s got a few potential options in mind in terms of incomings between the sticks.
Allan McGregor remains the Gers No.1, Beale admits. But the Englishman is keen to keep providing first team chances to Jon McLaughlin, as well as giving Robby McCrorie a chance to impress before the season is out.
Beale insists the last thing he wants to do is have to bring in three new keepers in the summer.
“I have goalkeepers in mind for the summer that I’d like to add,” Beale commented. “But I want to give Jon access to playing because he’s been here a long time and in the season we won the league he played a lot of games and did well.
“I wanted to see what was there and I want to give Robby the same opportunity as well. Allan understands that because of his age. He knows I have to see what’s here. I don’t want to be looking for three goalkeepers in the summer.
“I’ll be looking for one that comes in to compete. We have a budget in mind and three or four goalkeepers that we’re looking at.
“But I want to give Robby his chance to show what he can do. He’ll be 25 soon, he’s been in Scotland squads, he’s played in this league for Livingston, played in an Old Firm and European game for Rangers. So, it’s important that I give him an opportunity.
“When you’re looking at goalkeepers, you look for people around the same age with the same profile. We have one in the building already so let’s see.”
Touching on McGregor, Beale opened up on his close relationship with the former Scotland shot stopper. The ex-QPR boss admits he gets on very well with him – probably due to their similar age.
It is widely expected that McGregor will call it a day at the end of this term. It looked like the veteran was retiring at the end of last season, after his late two-minute cameo in the Scottish Cup final victory over Hearts.
Beale revealed he messaged McGregor to congratulate him on his career in the aftermath of that moment. The response caught him by surprise in one sense. But at the same time, it reminded him of the type of professional the keeper is.
He said: “My relationship with Allan is superb. We’re the same age so we can share our life experiences together.
“Seriously, it’s great, as it was when I was here before. There’s a lot been said and written - but he’s the number one here.
“I’ve made that clear. But like with any player I have to look, when we’re training and travelling a lot, at changing it to get more out of someone later on. Our relationship is really strong.
“I haven’t sat and discussed it yet with Allan. There are players out of contract here and a lot of things are up in the air.
“To give you an insight, this team was hurting when I came in. A lot of people were frustrated inside at the way things had gone. We had to go through a mending process, where we had to get consistent results quickly - then we’d deal with everything else later on.
“Genuinely, no-one has knocked on my door and wanted an ultimatum or a timescale. And I’ve not done anything the other way either.I’ve just been really keen to fulfil some goals between now and the end of the season.
“I haven’t spoken to Allan about it yet. I don’t feel there’s a rush to do that. Last year was similar, the club left it to Allan to decide how his body felt at the end of the season. That will be the right thing (for us again) come the end of the season. We’ll either achieve some of our goals or not. That might move the goalposts for everybody.
“I text him after the Scottish Cup Final and said: ‘What a career’. He came back to me and said: ‘It’s not done yet’. So that was a hint straight away.
“When I saw him come on I thought it was amazing. In the last few years, he’s won the league, the Scottish Cup and reached a European final. He’s achieved everything you’d want to in the game.
“He’s a fantastic goalkeeper because of the way he’s managed himself. He’s so professional. That’s the reason he’s able to do it at this age.
“We wouldn’t be able to afford a 27-year-old Allan McGregor so we have to try and make one, which happened when he came through here.
“He came back into the club in 2018 when I came in under Steven. He’s been incredible, some of the saves he’s made. Even watching from afar last year.
“At the end of training on Friday, he made an absolutely incredible save and every player was applauding him. People don’t see what I see. When the ball goes in, it has to be someone’s fault.
“I didn’t study it enough earlier this season to see why so much mud was thrown at our goalkeepers. I just think we lost all of our centre-halves.
“We played really high level opponents in the Champions League and during that time, everyone looked at the goalkeepers. But there’s no doubt in my mind about Allan’s level. I stick by that. He’s my goalie and I see him every day.
“It’s not just the goalkeeping, it’s the experience and knowledge he gives in the changing room. He’s the first in the morning and always working. The day after games, he wants to keep training. He doesn’t want a day off; he wants to keep going. He’s in his 40s now so isn’t that 27-year-old anymore.”
