RANGERS have been blessed with an abundance of outstanding goalkeepers over the years none more so than current No.1 Allan McGregor.
After starting the season as back-up to Jon McLaughlin, the 40-year-old has regained his place between the sticks.
One man who came through the Ibrox youth ranks with McGregor has told the Rangers Review it’s no surprise to see him still performing at the top level and being talked about in the same breath as the legendary Andy Goram.
Stephen Carson made a handful of first-team appearances between the late nineties and early noughties and experienced both goalkeepers first-hand.
The Northern Irishman, who is now Director of Coaching at US-based FC Westchester, says he knew McGregor was something special from a young age: “We lived together for a little while at David Moyes’ mum and dad with Steven McLean, Barry Nicholson, Mo Ross and Darren Fitzgerald and we were all close.
“He’s gone on to have a brilliant career, I’m just really pleased for him. He was a nice lad, very funny and a good guy.
“He always had great feet in terms of distribution even before that was a thing and he’s gone on to be a Rangers legend which is just fantastic.
“He deserves everything that he’s achieved. He’s been remarkable and made some brilliant saves.”
As McGregor was about to embark on a remarkable career between the sticks, Goram was nearing the end of his but he still left Carson in awe at his reflexes. “I remember me and Peaso [Peter MacDonald] used to do shooting with Andy Goram and I can never remember scoring, it was unbelievable,” he admitted.
“I remember shooting against Stefan Klos and putting it in the top corner and scoring goals but I can never remember scoring against Andy.
“I remember one time I hit one that was going right in the top corner and he tipped it over. I kind of went, ‘Wow!’
“For Allan McGregor to be in the conversation with Andy Goram is some testament to how well he has done.
“They were two brilliant characters and two brilliant keepers. It’s just really sad about Andy because he really was a character. He always had time for the young ones and was always very generous and made you feel a part of it.”
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