Scotland clinched a huge 3-2 victory at Hampden Park on Tuesday evening to top their UEFA Nations League group, with Rangers’ Allan McGregor saving his side in the dying embers of the game.
Celtic’s electric winger James Forrest continued his sparkling run of form by scoring a hat-trick in Scotland’s vital win over Israel. Naturally, Forrest stole the plaudits in the aftermath of proceedings for his stunning individual contribution, but his efforts would have been in vain if it wasn’t for the heroics of McGregor.
With just moments remaining and Scotland on the verge of clinching promotion, QPR’s Tomer Hemed was presented with a golden opportunity to draw Israel level, but his instinctive volley was expertly kept out by McGregor.
The Rangers stopper was forced into a reflex stop which required plenty of wrist strength to prevent the ball from squirming into the net, and it was a moment which BBC Scotland pundit Alasdair Lamont was eager to praise him for in his post-match analysis.
‘The Scotland keeper, though, pulled off an astonishing save with just two minutes to go, showing terrific reflexes to push Hemed’s point-blank shot away and ultimately win the game.’
On an evening in which Scotland’s attacking play stole the limelight, it’s important for supporters to recognise McGregor’s excellence.
Experience and possessing the ability to banish nerves in situations of a comparable magnitude can so often prove to be the difference between success and failure, and McGregor served to illuminate that with his standout moment of match-winning brilliance.
And Steven Gerrard will certainly be hoping that his summer recruit will continue that form when his side host Livingston at Ibrox this weekend.
Rangers fans – thoughts on McGregor? Let us know below!
