KENNY MILLER watches on from afar and sees what Allan McGregor is still bringing to Rangers on the park this season.
And the former Rangers star knows exactly what role McGregor will be playing behind the scenes as well.
At 38, the keeper is now in the twilight of his career but he remains a huge influence at Ibrox as Steven Gerrard's side strive for silverware success.
McGregor equalled Barry Ferguson's record of 82 European appearances against Benfica on Thursday night.
And Miller has no doubt the hunger is still burning as McGregor looks to add to his medal haul this term.
Miller said: "A brilliant character, everything the club needs, a winner first and foremost. And all the mental side that comes along with player for Rangers, he has got that in abundance.
"The kind of guy who thrives on going to Celtic Park and performing at the best of his ability and you have seen over the years, whether it be European games or big Old Firm games, he produces huge saves. He is a fantastic goalkeeper and everything the club needs in terms of character and mentality.
"I think everyone knows the off-field antics of the goalie. He is a very, very good team-mate.
"There is maybe a perception that he is a bit of a joker, a bit of a Jack the Lad off the field and, you know what, there is nothing wrong with that when you put the work in. Allan was one of the hardest working guys at the football club.
"He would always be in the gym doing his work prior to and post training sessions and I am sure now that he is creeping closer to 40 he will be looking after himself even more. You can see that is what he does."
McGregor missed a handful of games at the start of the season as Jon McLaughlin performed admirably in his absence at Ibrox.
He is now in the final months of his Light Blues deal but shows no signs of being ready to hang up his gloves and call time on an illustrious career for club and country.
"He might pick up wee injury issues but, for the most part, he will be one of the first names on Steven’s team-mate, I am sure, for all the reasons we have given," Miller told the Four Lads Had A Dream Podcast. "Standards, quality, ability, mentality. Everything.
"A fantastic team-mate, a great guy to have in the dressing room, but when it comes to working time and the serious head goes on the working face goes on and that is why he gets the nod. I have worked with many a good goalkeeper but, for me, he would get the nod over a few [as the best]
"Listen, if someone comes through that is better than Allan I am sure he will be the first one to say that there is someone younger that can do the job and he would give the jersey up, but not without a fight.
"I am sure he would see the progression and it is going to need to happen at some time but, at the moment, there is nobody better and that is the thing.
"I am sure when the time is right they will sit down and address the situation if Allan feels his body is capable, which by his performances it is, I am sure he would love to stay.
"Listen, he loves the club, he absolutely loves the club and everyone knows that. Getting him back was a key, key moment a few seasons ago."
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel