Rangers keeper Allan McGregor's European vulnerability and the credentials that could make Robby McCrorie the new number one

Steven Gerrard has been unable to find a consistent forward line due to injury and Covid-enforced absences, and unable to field a consistent midfield trio only until recently. But it’s the tinkering in the goalkeeping department – not always forced - which has surprised most.

The Ibrox side are now approaching the month of November with all three goalkeepers – Allan McGregor, Jon McLaughlin and Robby McCrorie – having played in high-stakes matches.

Granted, McLaughlin started last season as the regular choice between the sticks amid McGregor’s early injury troubles, but he was consigned to a place on the bench when the 39-year-old returned to full fitness. His last league start before the split came in the 8-0 win over Hamilton in November.

It points to Gerrard’s desire to refresh this squad as he approaches a crucial point in his tenure. Steven Davis, who picked up the Football Writers’ Player of the Year last term, has seen his minutes reduced as Gerrard has opted for the more athletic John Lundstram at the base of midfield.

Nathan Patterson was similarly preferred to James Tavernier for a top-of-the-table clash against Hibernian earlier this month. Even in attack, Fashion Sakala Jr. was given the nod away to Sparta Prague in the Europa League despite some indifferent displays domestically.

It seems highly probable that there will be a sizeable turnover of players next summer – especially relative to recent transfer windows – which means there is likely to be change in the goalkeeping department. McGregor turns 40 in January and it’s difficult to envision those early-season injury issues subsiding while he gets no younger.

McGregor in Europe

One area of concern in McGregor’s performances has been the marked drop-off in his European performances.

If we cast our eye over Karl Toko Ekambi’s strike in the 2-0 defeat to Lyon last month, McGregor is positioned slightly too far to his right.

As the forward unleashes his shot from distance, you can see McGregor has taken up a position to his right.

Although the shot is struck with power, it doesn’t veer in its trajectory at any point.

Taken in isolation, this can be chalked down as a byproduct of top-level European football, where Rangers are more susceptible to moments of quality such as Toko Ekambi’s strike than they would be in domestic fixtures.

However, it has been a theme in European competitions that McGregor has trouble dealing with long-range efforts arrowed towards his left-hand side.

READ MORE: Is Allan McGregor still Rangers number one? - Derek Clark

Slavia Prague opened the scoring in the Europa League last 16 first-leg clash with a similar strike.

Nicolae Stanciu collects the ball outside the penalty area before arcing his shot past McGregor. Again, the Rangers number one is beaten at the same side as he’s left rooted to the spot.

Given McGregor is an inherently reactive goalkeeper – and his agility has declined as he approaches 40-years-old – it leaves Rangers liable to moments such as the example below in the 1-0 defeat to Sparta Prague, which displays both the upside and downside of the Scot’s game.

As the side have pushed their defensive line high in search of an equaliser, Sparta Prague are able to expose Gerrard’s side in behind.

However, the pass is slightly overhit relative to the forward’s run. In certain situations, this allows the goalkeeper to comfortably sweep up behind the defensive line.

However, McGregor’s starting position is deep, allowing the Sparta forward to drive at goal. In the end, he cannot take the ball in his stride which allows Calvin Bassey to get back before he lashes his shot into the side netting.

In top-level European football, goalkeepers tend to boast sweeper-keeper abilities. Although Rangers typically deploy a mid-defensive block, which shrinks the space in behind their defensive line, it is a useful attribute boast when they are required to chase games from behind.

Robby McCrorie waiting in the wings

“We think he’s got the potential to one day be a Rangers number one. And even more, in the short term when Allan [McGregor] moves on, to be one of our main goalkeepers. Robby and his people know our plan.”

Gerrard offered his thoughts on McCrorie’s future when quizzed following the 23-year-old’s stellar display against Celtic in the absence of both McGregor and McLaughlin. His words may have disappointed sections of the Rangers support who were ready to immediately herald a new goalkeeping hero with McGregor not getting any younger.

However, even on his first Rangers start McCrorie displayed signs that he can offer.

In his short career so far – encompassing loan spells at Queen of the South and Livingston – it is apparent that McCrorie is a very proactive goalkeeper who is at his best stopping danger at its source.

No goalkeeper made more interceptions per 90 minutes in the Scottish Premiership than McCrorie did at Livingston last season, which underlines his proactive nature. As Livi tended to play with a higher defensive line to aid ball recoveries further up the pitch, McCrorie was tasked with sweeping up behind the defensive line when required.

The example below from Livingston’s win over Ross County last season illustrates McCrorie’s responsibility.

McCrorie’s ability to shrink the quality of chances was evident in the Old Firm victory.

As Kyogo Furuhashi is sent in behind the Rangers defence immediately after Filip Helander had put the Light Blues ahead, McCrorie is sharp off his line to thwart the Japan international.

McCrorie was also called into action four minutes from time. Although Furuhashi’s decision making leaves a lot to be desired, the speed in which McCrorie rushes out helps influence that decision.

Looking ahead

The aforementioned appraisal of McCrorie is not a sales pitch on his credentials as Rangers’ immediate new number one. However, his qualities do offer an insight into the extra dimension he, or a goalkeeper of a similar profile, could bring to Rangers after McGregor departs.

READ MORE: What Rangers must learn from Liverpool throw-in coach to stop wasteful 'worst advice' strategy

However, succession in football rarely goes smoothly. Goalkeepers usually have to seize a rare injury-enforced absence or dip in form from the current incumbent. This is why many were disappointed when McCrorie immediately returned to his role as third-choice despite his creditable Old Firm performance.

It is probable that, should McGregor deem this season as his farewell campaign, McCrorie will directly contest the number one with McLaughlin next season. It is an area of the pitch which is unlikely to undermine Rangers’ domestic ambitions in the short term.

In continental competitions, however, Rangers could benefit from the evolution.