EVER the diplomat, Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has repeatedly danced around the issue of which goalkeeper will head into next season as the No.1 at Ibrox.
The Gers wrapped up their pre-season schedule with a behind closed doors victory over Queen’s Park at the weekend, with goalkeeping duties shared predominantly between Jon McLaughlin and Allan McGregor over the course of the five-match block.
However, there have been telling insights throughout the summer as to which direction van Bronckhorst wants his shot-stoppers to travel. Back-to-back friendlies against English Premier League opposition in West Ham and Tottenham have seen Rangers adopt a more measured approach in building out from the back, involving the goalkeeper as the spare man.
When quizzed specifically whether McLaughlin’s comfort in possession of the ball could facilitate a more patient approach during deep build-up play after the 3-1 win over West Ham, van Bronckhorst spelled out the advantages.
“When you get pressed really quick and when you’re brave on the ball, once you surpass that press, the whole pitch is open,” said the Dutchman.
“Instead of playing long, sometimes you need the bravery to pass to your teammates. The goals we scored were all about that – building from the back and making sure the opponent is stretched. Then you will find the pockets like Tom [Lawrence] did, also with the speed we have with Rabbi [Matondo] and Ryan [Kent]. We can be very dangerous.”
READ MORE: The James Sands pre-season insights that hint at defined Rangers role
McLaughlin’s prominence when Rangers built out from the back against the Hammers is highlighted by the thickness of his passing connection with Connor Goldson in the pass map below.
There was a conscious effort from the central defenders to avoid passes out to the full-backs – where West Ham could commit greater bodies to the press and force turnovers of possession – and instead use McLaughlin as an option.
The Scotland cap is certainly comfortable at creating angles to receive the ball, as well as boasting sufficient assurance in possession. It is tempting to ponder, however, whether he has the required passing range when opportunities open up further downfield.
McLaughlin attempted 39 passes against West Ham on the evening, with only two defined as ‘long passes’ as per Wyscout. Although his low volume of longer, arrowed passes were by design, it does hint at a ceiling on his distribution.
On the other side of the spectrum, McGregor’s upside as a mid-to-close range shot-stopper is undermined by his lack of confidence on the ball in a possession-heavy team.
The 40-year-old is capable of reaching higher 'peaks' from a shot-stopping perspective compared to McLaughlin, which was highlighted in his first-half performance against the deadly attacking trio of Tottenham at the weekend.
After denying Dejan Kulusevski with a smart stop at his front post early in the game…
…McGregor was also equal to Harry Kane’s effort from the left-hand side, biding his time as the England captain raced through before committing and making himself big at exactly the right moment.
READ MORE: Rangers' ambitious Tottenham approach an indication of van Bronckhorst's intent
The former Scotland international is at his best as a backs-to-the-wall goalkeeper, often producing his best performances when he’s frequently called into action.
In many ways, providing Rangers successfully navigate their way through the Champions League qualifiers this season, McLaughlin is the logical choice as No.1 in the competition given his higher upside on the ball.
Equally, however, van Bronckhorst’s men will face periods under the cosh given the calibre of opposition and McGregor’s competency in denying shots from inside the penalty area could be crucial in ensuring Rangers retain a foothold in matches.
McLaughlin hasn’t fully convinced in his pre-season outings this summer either, hardly covering himself in glory attempting to collect a corner against Sunderland in Rangers’ opening friendly of the summer.
The 34-year-old underlined his proficiency in alleviating pressure off his defence from corners at various points last season, but Rangers have continued to look vulnerable from dead ball situations in pre-season.
Nonetheless, van Bronckhorst’s team selection when the Gers open their Scottish Premiership campaign in Livingston this weekend will offer the most solid indicator as to the Dutchman’s plans this season.
It is difficult to envisage McGregor having signed on for another year at Ibrox as the bona fide second choice in the goalkeeping department, yet the protracted nature of the negotiations suggest the situation is more nuanced than first thought.
McLaughlin’s standing over the course of his Ibrox career continues to increase, with the former Hearts man having started regularly at the start of the last two league campaigns under Steven Gerrard.
Indeed, van Bronckhorst may be looking to rotate in the goalkeeping department next season, but the obvious risk is that it becomes a stick to beat the Dutchman with if the side suffers defensively.
It is an area of the pitch that defined Rangers’ underperformance last season. When the team sheet drops an hour before kick-off at the curtain-raiser in Livingston, we will almost certainly gain the biggest insight into van Bronckhorst’s plans.
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