Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor could yet extend his stay at Ibrox for another two seasons if there is a possibility of playing in the Champions League group stages, according to Alan Hutton.
While the Light Blues do have a chance of making the group stages through the qualifiers this season, Hutton feels the prospect of qualifying automatically could tempt McGregor to play on if they don’t make it this year:
“We know how big it is with the coefficient. Rangers or Celtic, whoever wins that year, could possibly go straight into the Champions League. There’s a lot of factors within next season. We’ll see how it plays out but I think if he continues the form that he’s in at the moment, I don’t see why you’d want to stop.”
Hutton says he remains in contact with his former teammate so these comments do come with some knowledge about the keeper’s motivations.
McGregor will be 40 by the end of the next campaign so, while he may have the desire to play on, a lot will depend on whether he still has the fitness and agility to continue as the club’s number one.
There is precedent, though, for goalkeepers playing into their fifth decade, and going by this season’s performances, he seems to be in better shape than ever.
