STEVEN GERRARD will look to retain the services of keeper Allan McGregor beyond the summer as he enters the final few months of his current Ibrox deal.
The 38-year-old made his second start of the campaign against Willem II on Thursday night and produced a sterling performance as Rangers reached the Europa League play-off rounds with a 4-0 victory.
McGregor would more than justify the call from Gerrard to put him between the sticks ahead of summer signing Jon McLaughlin, despite the Scotland keeper making an impressive start to life at Ibrox this term.
And the Gers boss has no doubts that McGregor will be able to continue performing at the highest level for some time as he rolled back the years with a string of stunning stops in Tilburg.
Gerrard said: “He has had a bit of disrupted pre-season with injuries and pains, but I saw signs in training this week that he was looking close to his best.
“It was still a big call to put him in. But with the experience that he has got, and with the journeys we have been on in Europe over the last two years, I did have a good feeling and I was confident.
“Allan has still got to go and make those saves and do them and key times for us and that is the reason why he is held in such high regard inside this football club.
“I think the biggest compliment I can give is that, I’m trying to think over a 20-year career, and I can’t remember when a keeper got Man of the Match in a 4-0 win.
“So that tells you the story, really. But that is Greegs, that is him. It is as if it hadn’t happened. He gets showered, he goes home and he gets ready to do it again if called upon.
“Listen, it is too early to discuss all of that (his contract). He has just recently signed a new extension, he is here for the season.
“We are all aware of his age but he is still rated and loved as much as he was when he was younger. We will take it month by month.
“Listen, if he is still in the same shape and he is still producing the same performances at the time that we need to discuss it, that will be a decision for Allan McGregor. But one thing is for sure, we will certainly want to keep him around the football club.”
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