Source: Team_Talk
Beattie: McGregor's a keeper
James Beattie has urged Rangers to do everything in their power to keep Allan McGregor after the goalkeeper was linked with Manchester United.[LNB] McGregor has been in fine form for the Scottish champions all season, including clean-sheets against United and Bursaspor in the Champions League.[LNB]And he saw his stock rise further in the last week with man-of-the-match performances against both Czech Republic and Spain for Scotland in their Euro 2012 qualifiers.[LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson is now reportedly weighing up a move for McGregor, who is contracted to Rangers until 2013, as he seeks a replacement for veteran Edwin van der Sar.[LNB]"Allan is a fantastic goalkeeper and he's a great lad as well," said Beattie, who has been impressed by the number one since his summer move from Stoke.[LNB]"I'm not surprised he is getting interest from top clubs like Manchester United.[LNB]"It's very important for us to keep hold of our best players. That's up to the board and Allan himself.[LNB]"If he keeps performing as he is, superbly all the time, he is going to create interest.[LNB]"It's up to the club to keep him and for him to keep his head right.[LNB]"He's right up there. When I first came in, I didn't really know him but I get on really well with him.[LNB]"His performances in training and in games are fantastic. He is gaining interest and it's well-deserved."[LNB]However, Beattie refused to be drawn on comparisons between McGregor's retrospective ban for aiming a kick at Aberdeen's Chris Maguire and what he described as a "cynical" challenge by Hearts' Ian Black, which went unpunished after leaving Rangers' £4million striker Nikica Jelavic sidelined for several months.[LNB]He said: "A lot has been made of that but I'm not going to get into a debate about it.[LNB]"That's more of an issue for the hierarchy, I'll just talk about football."[LNB]Jelavic had carved out a productive partnership with Kenny Miller before requiring surgery on ankle ligament damage.[LNB]And, although gutted for the Croatian, Beattie hopes his absence will enhance his own chances of game-time.[LNB]"It's unfortunate for him but it's a good chance for me to get back in the side and establish myself," he said.[LNB]"It's very unfortunate for him, he was on good form and forged a good partnership with Kenny, and he was taken out most cynically by one of the Hearts players.[LNB]"He's undergone an operation and seemed quite upbeat when I spoke to him but he's obviously disappointed."[LNB]He added: "I hadn't played a competitive game since December so I was quite happy when the manager asked if I wanted to start the first game.[LNB]"I said yes and played the first four games and we won.[LNB]"Then, I was only injured for about two weeks but I missed five games, which has been a little bit frustrating.[LNB]"I had a problem with my thigh but it's fine now. Hopefully I'll be training tomorrow and available for Saturday."[LNB]
