McGregor Is Keeping Gers In Title Race

Jan 13 2008 By Mark Guidi

Gretna V Rangers Wednesday, Kick-Off 7.45pm Live On Setanta Walter Hails His No 1's Heroics

WALTER SMITH last night hailed keeper Allan McGregor's role in firing Rangers to the top of the SPL.

The 25-year-old has firmly established himself as Smith's first choice and his superb form has helped Gers edge ahead of Celtic in the title race.

The boss has worked with top-class keepers like Andy Goram and Craig Gordon in his managerial career and reckons he has found another star in McGregor.

The young Scot has missed just one first-team game this season and kept 13 clean sheets for Smith's resurgent side.

And the gaffer knows McGregor will be a key man again on Wednesday when Rangers bid to move four points clear with a win away to Gretna.

Smith said: "Allan has now established himself as the No.1. His consistency has been terrific. When I came to the club a year ago he had been on loan at Dunfermline and played just a few first-team games.

"It was important for Allan to know he would get a run in the team when I came here and that helped him.

"However, at no stage did I ever tell him he was the No.1 - it was just that his performances warranted it.

"He has been doing well and I hope that continues for the rest of the season."

McGregor's Ibrox career has taken off under Smith but it has been a different story for jinxed left-back Stevie Smith.

The crocked kid has been sidelined for over a year with a pelvic injury but is now back on the mend.

He still won't feature for a few weeks but boss Smith dismissed any notion the youngster's career is over.

He said: "Stevie is training with the squad and would be ready to play a reserve game at this stage. However, the reserve league doesn't restart for another couple of weeks.

"That has been frustrating for Stevie. But he is fine and I'm hoping he will be back in contention for the first team by the end of the month. The same applies to Andy Webster.

"We have quite a big group of players and the pair of them will make us even stronger."

Some fans will be expecting Gers to sweep Gretna aside but Smith knows his men will need to be at their best at Fir Park.

The basement boys were just three minutes away from beating Celtic earlier in the season before two goals sent them spinning to defeat.

And Smith said: "If we're not on top of our game Gretna will punish us.

"It has been a difficult season for them and not playing at their own stadium hasn't helped. But they deserve all the credit for continuing with such strong determination and spirit.

"When you see them scoring a goal they celebrate it well. Considering the position they're in it's a refreshing attitude.

"Davie Irons deserves a lot of praise. He keeps working with the players and makes sure there isn't an air of despondency.

"There doesn't appear to be any doom and gloom and we know it will be tough."

Rangers have a hectic run of games coming up - including a derby clash at Parkhead - and Smith hopes he doesn't lose any stars in the transfer window.

Thomas Buff el, Alan Gow and Kirk Broadfoot are all frustrated at a lack of top-team chances but Smith wants them to stay for the title push.

He said: "I understand what the guys are going through. They want to play but have found it difficult to get in.

"I don't want them to go out of the door and I've received no loan requests for them.

"I won't be bothered if it stays that way by the time the transfer window shuts.

"We need our squad for the rest of the season."