Allan McGregor has laid out the key aspects that will determine if he prolongs his Rangers career for another season.
The veteran star has joined an unique group of men by making his 500th appearances for the Light Blues in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Dundee United, only the 10th player to reach this tally since the Second World War and the first since Ally McCoist in the 1990s.
The 41-year-old is being quizzed on whether he will go into the next campaign or hang up the gloves and he has made it clear that three things have to happen. He needs to be fit, he needs to feel the ability is still there and he has to be first choice.
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He told Sky Sports: “I consider if my body can handle it, I consider if I’ll be good enough to perform at the highest level for me. Everybody says play as long as you want and I get that, Do I want to be sitting on the bench? To be fair I was at the start of this season.
“I would like to feel that I can contribute something and that will be a major factor.”
It seemed as though he was ready to retire a year ago when he came on at the end of the Scottish Cup Final for what looked like a farewell but he agreed a new one-year deal. He says he will wait until the season is over before making his call.
Michael Beale is expected to target a new keeper and Preston’s Freddie Woodman is reputedly on his radar.
McGregor added: “I need to focus on the games, let the season finish and make my decision then. That’s exactly what I did last year. I’ll concentrate until the end of the season and see what happens then.”
The former Scotland goalie is thrilled by his milestone achievement. He said: "It’s a massive honour, personally. I’m not one for personal achievements but this means a lot to me. I came here as a boy and getting one appearance, never mind 500, is a massive thing for me. I was actually looking at it (the list) not long ago and it’s a small list for (the club) being here over 150 years, so it does humble me a little bit, yeah.”
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