Allan McGregor signs new Rangers contract ahead of new season

Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor has signed a new contract to remain with the club until next summer.

The 40-year-old reached the end of his existing deal after the Scottish Cup final and was considering his future and drawing an end to a 21-year professional career.

He has now decided to keep playing and will compete with Jon McLaughlin to be first choice in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team.

“I’m obviously delighted,” McGregor told Rangers’ website. “At the end of last season, there were a lot of games and a lot of concentration on the games.

“I then had a couple of weeks’ holiday and really thought about it and spoke to a lot of people about it, and everybody said to play as long as you can.

“After the break, that’s what I was thinking myself, so here we are.”

Rangers boss Van Bronckhorst, said: “Allan brings us invaluable experience and leadership both on and off the pitch, and I am really pleased he has chosen to stay with us for another year.

“I have been really impressed with the positive influence he has on our players, and also the dedication he has shown to still be a valuable asset for us in a playing-sense at the age of 40.

“I feel it is important to have players in our dressing room who really understand the club, and Allan certainly is one of them.”

McGregor joined Rangers in 1998 and was included in the first team squad a year later but didn’t make his debut until the 2001/02 season. He has gone on to make over 450 appearances for the club over two spells, with time at Hull City and Besiktas in between.

The goalkeeper has been part of the squad that reached two European finals and has won four league titles, four Scottish Cups and five League Cups in his time at Ibrox.