Source: FOOTYMAD
Silver Lining For Harsh Punishment
Neil Alexander will benefit from teammates Alan McGregor's misdeed. Neil Alexander considers the retrospectively imposed one-game ban handed to Allan McGregor by the SFA as too harsh. However, the Rangers number two 'keeper is ready for action if called upon by manager Walter Smith for this weekend's game against Motherwell. Alexander make his first appearance of the season in the Co-operative Insurance Cup game against Dunfermline. McGregor was punished for aiming a kick at Aberdeen's Chris Maguire during Rangers' win at Pittodrie last month, after the incident was brought to the attention of the SFA's video review panel. Alexander said: "It's good for me because it gives me a chance to play and hopefully we'll do well and go on to get three points. This is my first day back since I heard about Allan so I've yet to hear if I'll be playing or not. But I'd like to think that if he is out I'll get the nod and I'm looking forward to playing if that's what happens. I've got a target to aim for so I'll train from now until Saturday, get my head down, work hard and make sure every part of my game is as good as I want it to be. I must say though I was very surprised in general with the outcome of everything and it's the first time this sort of thing has happened in a while. I've got my own views on it and I don't want to get myself into trouble too but I think it's a bit harsh." Alexander is comfortable with the prospect of being second choice to McGregor at Rangers. And he was so impressed by his club-mate's efforts for Scotland against Czech Republic, he believes McGregor could soon be challenging Craig Gordon for the national gloves permanently. The Rangers number one has been deputising for Gordon while the national team's regular first choice goalkeeper recovers from a broken arm. Speaking on Monday, Alexander said: "I was very impressed. That's what Allan does every week for Rangers. Everyone knows what he is capable of and he went and did it all again at international level. As a goalkeeper, the games where you are busy and making lots of saves are the ones you enjoy. That would have been the case with Allan but I know he'll have been disappointed at losing a goal from a set piece. The goalkeeping position for Scotland is one which is very strong and it's one of the best areas we've got. There's strength in depth there. Craig is coming back again after his injury so Allan will have to keep up his good performances to stay in the jersey. I'm sure he will be busy tomorrow night (against Spain) so if he has a good game and makes lots of saves, I'm sure it'll be difficult for Craig Levein to leave him out." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
