Hero McGregor set for the chop (original) (raw)

By BRIAN MARJORIBANKS

Last updated at 08:58 29 September 2006

Rangers manager Paul le Guen last night warned Allan McGregor he remains very much second choice - despite the outstanding young goalkeeper helping the Ibrox club to hit the UEFA Cup jackpot.

Goals from Thomas Buffel and captain Barry Ferguson cracked the Norse code to unlock the minnows of Molde - and open the gates to a golden £3million jackpot from participation in the UEFA Cup group stages.

Le Guen was relieved after his side bounced back from defeats against Hibs and Celtic to seal their place as second seeds in Tuesday's draw.

The 22-year-old McGregor gave a man-of-the-match display and had the fans singing his praises. But le Guen last night insisted injured Frenchman Lionel Letizi remains his No1 choice.

He said: "I am very pleased with Allan. I respect the crowd but it's not up to the fans who plays in goals. That's my decision."

But McGregor would be gutted if his heroics between the sticks were to be rewarded by demotion. "I couldn't tell you if I'll keep my place," McGregor said. "I can only take it game by game. The most important thing is to be consistent, but I would be disappointed if I was left out.

"It was hard to be on the bench at the start of the season after playing the whole of last term with Dunfermline and it would be hard to go back to the bench.

"My contract is up at the end of the season so, even if I do go back to the bench, at least I have maybe caught someone's eye."

Turning to the victory, McGregor illustrated the relief of sweeping aside Molde. "There would have been consequences if we hadn't gone through," he admitted. "A lot has been said about us but we are through and hopefully this can be a catalyst."

Le Guen was equally delighted to reach the group stages but laughed off suggestions that his job had been under threat. "I am relieved - but not for my own position," he said.

"The aim was to qualify for the group stages and we did that.

"It's important for the development of the team that we play three or four more matches against foreign sides.

"The second goal tonight was brilliant. I was pleased with how Barry Ferguson played. I was also pleased with Thomas Buffel. He has been unlucky. He missed a lot of chances early in the season but he has not given up."

Rangers head of safety Laurence Macintyre, meanwhile, has praised the fans for supporting the club's anti-sectarian initiatives.

A UEFA delegate was watching to report any bigoted singing but the supporters were well behaved.

Macintyre said: "Our intense activity prior to the game clearly paid off and we will continue to work with the fans to ensure progress continues."

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