FOR the first time in 14 years Rangers will enter the hat for the quarter-finals of the Europa League and just like he did in Bremen all those years ago, Allan McGregor has played a monumental role.

Over the two legs against Red Star, the 40-year-old was an absolute colossus, not only saving an Aleksander Katai penalty at Ibrox but producing a number of stunning stops in Belgrade to deny the Serbians the chance to rectify the first-leg deficit.

Rangers were well and truly under the cosh after Mirko Ivanic rifled home the opening goal just 10 minutes in but their spirit was gradually worn away by the incredible agility of McGregor.

In The Rangers Review's detailed player ratings, he scooped a nine, higher than any other player and somewhat fitting given it was his deft-defying save against Boubacar Sanogo that saw Rangers prevail over Werder Bremen in 2008 as Walter Smith’s men progressed to the last-eight of the UEFA Cup.

That save was arguably the greatest ever made by a Rangers goalkeeper and last night, despite being 14 years older, McGregor continued to command his goal like a gladiator.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst acknowledged the part played by his goalkeeper when speaking to BT Sport after the final whistle. He beamed: “At the moments he needed to be there he was there.

“He had some good saves again. I’m really happy with his performance and what he gives to the team, even at his age he’s still important to us so I’m more than happy for him and every player because we gave everything to make the club proud and we did that today.”

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Of course, it wasn’t so long ago there were serious grumblings from supporters regarding his position as Rangers’ No.1 with many blaming him for the two points dropped at home to Motherwell.

Despite the groans, van Bronckhorst stood by McGregor and it was a view shared by his former Ibrox mentor Billy Thomson.

Thomson, now goalkeeping coach at Stranraer, told the Rangers Review: “He’s a perfectionist. If he makes a mistake he’ll put his hand up and try to rectify that but he’s not the type who’ll go chasing things.

“At the end of the day, you’re the backline so if you make a mistake then eight times out of 10 it’ll end up in the back of the net whereas the back four can make mistakes and the goalkeeper will make saves.

“You look at his performances throughout the season, he didn’t look like a 39 or 40-year-old with some of the saves that he makes.

“To get to the top left, the top right, bottom left, bottom right the way he does I think is testament to the fact he looks after himself.

“You can look at a 36-year-old or a 38-year-old and say, ‘Aye, you look your age, just by your movement.’

“With the likes of Greegsy at 40, he’s still quick off his line, that’s because he sees things nice and early and he can get to the top corners and the bottom corners.

“For me, looking at him just now, it’s nothing to do with his age. If you look at Dino Zoff and guys like that, they played till they were 40-odds.

“He’s been a credit to himself, he’s been absolutely incredible and I still think he could play on.

“As long as you feel good and get up in the morning and want to train, that’s a big thing and if you steer clear of injury then it’s fine.”

Ex-Rangers midfielder Derek McInnes was also fulsome in his praise following his penalty save to deny Katai at Ibrox and found the time to slam those who felt it right to criticise his position in the team.

He said: “He's been such a key player for Rangers over the years.

“Time and time again he comes up with key moments. All these numpties that criticise him, say he's done and all the rest of it: you make a mistake when you're a goalkeeper, and he has made a few, but he more than makes up with it with stuff like that.”

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Allan McGregor has been, quite simply, a phenomenon for Rangers.

He's one of the main reasons the club are champions domestically once again and competing against the cream of European football.

He continues to defy the critics and has shown there is plenty of life in the old dog yet.

The debate about whether he is past it should now be shelved until further notice, it's McGregor himself who will decide when to hang up the gloves.

In the meantime, let's just continue to marvel and appreciate the greatest goalkeeper the club has ever produced.