The importance of a top goalkeeper has rarely been clearer.

07 May 2011 15:17
Allan McGregor is Scotland's Number One but much more important than that. It is play-off time in North America, with the NBA and the NHL seasons moving towards an exciting end. In the game of hockey, there’s much of interest to consider in the play-offs: home advantage (home ice) doesn’t seem to be as important as elsewhere and those teams who steamroll opposition during the regular season often fall to pieces in the post-season, while the importance of one man – the goaltender – becomes disproportionately vital. A team with a ‘hot goalie’ can ride that all the way to the end and the Stanley Cup. Meanwhile, in Scotland, we’re into the post-split fixtures and it’s increasingly obvious that our own hot goalie, Allan McGregor, may be key to the prospects of Rangers earning a 54th national title. That penalty save from Samaras against Celtic – to say nothing of his efforts to keep out Daniel Majstorovic’s header – has been correctly highlighted, and it seems obvious that securing that point for Rangers will be crucial. Again, today, McGregor made a fine save while the game was in the balance, and the team took advantage directly thereafter to double the lead. His form this season has – for the most part – been excellent. He is our main asset. And he has clearly managed to rise above and ignore the vile chants directed at him (and surprisingly ignored by the press) on a weekly basis. Perhaps he has calmed down and grown up a little. Should Rangers win this title Allan will be foremost amongst those who deserve the accolade of champion. We will do well to hold on to him through the rising temperature of summer.

Source: FOOTYMAD