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Daily Record
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Gabriel McKay

What the Rangers pundits said as Derek McInnes blasts 'numpties' who criticised Allan McGregor

Derek McInnes branded critics of Allan McGregor "numpties" after the goalkeeper's heroics against Red Star.

The first leg of the Europa League tie saw Rangers run out 3-0 winners, with goals from James Tavernier, Alfredo Morelos and Leon Balogun.

The comfortable scoreline means Gio van Bronckhorst 's side have one foot in the quarter-finals but it was far from an easy evening.

Goalkeeper McGregor made a number of crucial stops, none more so than his brilliant save on Aleksandar Katai's penalty.

The 40-year-old won plenty of praise for his performance but it was a brilliant team showing from the hosts.

Here's what the pundits made of the match.

Derek McInnes

"Rangers look as if they really enjoy these European nights - and so they should.

"It's important to try and go and enjoy it domestically, obviously there's a pressure, a lot of scrutiny to try and win a title when it's neck-and-neck with Celtic.

"But the enjoyment that those boys seemed to get tonight was similar to Dortmund. What they need to do is try and replicate that in their domestic form.

"It's only halfway done, there's still a job to do in Belgrade, but from what I've seen tonight I don't anticipate too many problems over there.

"I don't think it's going to be easy, it's not going to be straightforward, but I think Rangers are the better team.

"I thought they were very confident in how they managed it in and out of possession, from a five and a four (at the back) when Giovanni kept changing it showed a real game intelligence that the players have taken on."

On Allan McGregor's penalty save: "He's been such a key player for Rangers over the years.

"Time and time again he comes up with key moments. All these numpties that criticise him, say he's done and all the rest of it: you make a mistake when you're a goalkeeper, and he has made a few, but he more than makes up with it with stuff like that.

"That's an outstanding save."

Kenny Miller

"This is a very good Red Star team.

"That (the penalty) is a world class save. He's the best in the business at penalties, absolute best in the business, and that save is sensational.

"It is a penalty kick but Allan McGregor has stepped up and manages to spare his (Ryan Jack's) blushes.

"It's a fantastic save, big moments in games, key moments.

"We've talked about the centre-forward, Morelos, and how efficient he's been and then the goalkeeper produces that.

"If your goalkeeper is at the top of his form and your centre-forward is playing as well as he was tonight you're going to have a great chance of winning the game.

"He (McGregor) has a lost a couple this season and it's been well documented but on these big nights he normally steps up. It's a brilliant save.

"In the big moments you need your big players to stand up and tonight, without singling anyone out because I think to a man Rangers were excellent, Tavernier, Morelos and McGregor are big players for Rangers: your captain, your striker and your goalkeeper.

"For me those three players stood up tonight and were absolutely excellent."

Leanne Crichton

"I think this will be a real shock to the system for Red Star. It is for us too!

"We thought it would be a tough game for Rangers, but they've absolutely blown them away. It sends another message across Europe that Rangers are serious contenders.

"Everything Red Star have tried, Rangers have had an answer for. The game plan from Rangers has been spot on. They've been adaptable, van Bronckhorst has got it spot on again tonight."

Richard Foster

"Their manager said beforehand that Rangers are really arrogant, trying to start the war of words and the psychological battle.

"Red Star came here and thought they'd outscore Rangers. They aren't giving Rangers the respect they now deserve."

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