Alexander happy in back-up role

29 July 2010 12:01

Neil Alexander will have no complaints about starting the season as back-up keeper to Allan McGregor again.

The Scotland keeper made his first appearance for the Ibrox men in pre-season in the goalless draw against Sydney in Australia on Wednesday and again put in an impressive performance. However, Alexander, 32, has no illusions about taking over from McGregor when the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season begins in just over a fortnight's time.

"I think Allan did really well last season and he played in the vast majority of the games so he is very much seen as the number one and I can have no complaints with that," Alexander told RangersTV.

"I came in at the end of last season due to Allan's injury but I fully expect him to start the new season and all I can do is push him all the way and give the manager a headache.

"The manager is good in pre-season because he always tries to give Allan and myself equal playing time so I don't think there is a problem there, but when I get in I have to grab it and try to impress him."

Alexander played for Queen of the South on July 20 when the Palmerston keeper got injured in a friendly game but he was glad to get a keeper's shirt adorned with the Rangers badge.

He said: "It was nice to get the jersey back on - a Rangers one that is - and nice to get into the swing of things.

"I was happy with my performance and whenever I get my next chance hopefully I will do the same.

"The pitch was horrendous. In fact it was farcical and I felt that it got to the stage where it should have been scrapped because it was getting dangerous.

"We have a small enough squad as it is and we don't want to pick up any more injuries. However, it was good from a defensive point of view because we kept a clean sheet so that's a positive."

Source: PA