Allan McGregor can become a great like Andy Goram if he remains at Rangers, says Stuart McCall
STUART McCALL swears Andy Goram was one of the best keepers in the world - and insists Allan McGregor is on his way to matching the Rangers legend.
Gavin Berry
But the Motherwell boss and former Gers midfielder reckons Greegs must stay at Ibrox for another couple of years before he can cement his place in club history alongside The Goalie.
McCall revealed he tried to sign McGregor on loan when he was coaching at Sheffield United.
At that point the keeper was well down the Govan pecking order but he went on loan elsewhere. Now McCall is hoping his Well strikers will find a way past the best Gers No.1 since Stefan Klos - and a man some tip to achieve even greater success than Goram.
The Fir Park manager said: "Can McGregor be compared with Goram? I would probably have to say yes even though I find it hard to imagine anyone matching The Goalie - who texts me every day to say Allan's not as good.
"McGregor has been in the first team at Rangers for five years. I believe he would have to remain and be consistent for another year or so but he's getting there.
"The Goalie had seven years and a year out with injury. People ask me who was the best player I played with. Without doubt, Goram was the one person who would have got in a World XI at that time.
"He had a year or two when it was only me beating him in training. Even Coisty couldn't beat him. He was unbelievable.
"I played with Neville Southall at Everton and thought I'd never play with a better keeper.
"Peter Schmeichel and others were around when The Goalie was playing but if you look at the 18 months he had before his knee injury he was unbeatable at times. He was incredible."
McGregor revealed he wants to stay at Ibrox and the club are keen to tie him down to a contract that will beat off potential suitors.
McCall said: "I've insisted before that people involved in the Scottish game should want the better players to remain here.
"I'm not just saying that because it's Rangers. I said the same about Aiden McGeady at Celtic, James McFadden or Steven Fletcher at Hibs. You want the best players to be here so you can watch them.
"It was interesting to see McGregor say he wants to stay. For the game in Scotland, the product improves with better players.
"McGregor has been outstanding. He and Nikica Jelavic have kept Rangers in the title race over the past month.
"They are not a two-man team but both those players have come to the fore.
"I remember actually enquiring about him for Sheffield United when John Brown was in charge of the youths at Rangers.
"He was only a young and was third or fourth-choice keeper at the time. I remember Bomber mentioning him to me but by the time we enquired about him, he had gone out on loan.
"I think Rangers knew he was a good player then but he has gone on to be better than anyone imagined - and consistent as well.
"I just hope he is really busy on Saturday."
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