Rangers manager Steven Gerrard reckons it was a wise decision to recall Allan McGregor as the veteran stopper put on a masterclass in shot-stopping against Willem II.
The 38-year-old has had to play second fiddle to Jon McLaughlin while the summer signing helped Gers become the first British team to start a domestic campaign with seven straight clean sheets.
But he was back in between the posts for the Light Blues’ Europa League clash with Williem II and pulled off a string of saves as Gerrard’s team claimed a crushing 4-0 win to set up a play-off showdown with Galatasaray.
“Listen it’s no surprise,” the Ibrox boss told RangersTV. “It’s the reason why I picked him. I knew that at times against this team we would maybe be in one-v-one situations and need him to make big stops.
“We certainly got that decision right. Allan deserves the credit, it was a superb showing.”
James Tavernier stroked home his 50th goal for the club after being restored to penalty duties, while Ryan Kent – who won the spot-kick – scored and then teed up Felip Helander for the third.
Gerrard added in the Daily Record: “I’m not sure comfortable is the right word but I am very happy with the scoreline and to win 4-0 and get a clean sheet.
“Four different scorers, three from set pieces and one from open play so we are obviously very pleased.
“But we have beaten a good team, they were dangerous and they caused us some problems in the first half.
“It could easily have been a different scoreline at half-time. I didn’t think our defensive organisation was carried out very well in the first half but we managed to solve that at half-time and we were much better, much more solid in the second half. Credit to the boys, it is a fantastic away win from a tough, tough fixture for us.”
