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Andy Halliday says Rangers player is better than £30m Everton star, played with both

Will Butcher

Wed 17 March 2021 12:15, UK

that he believes Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor is a better goalkeeper than Everton shot-stopper Jordan Pickford – having played with both players during his career.

McGregor, 39, earned enormous plaudits for his stunning performance and save against Slavia Prague in the first-leg of their last 16 Europa League tie – a match which Rangers drew 1-1 away from home. McGregor was sensational.

But one moment caught the eye, from a Slavia corner – Lukas Masopust must have thought he had scored as he planted a powerful header that was arrowing into the bottm corner. But somehow, veteran McGregor stopped the shot with his left hand.

Halliday raved about his former Rangers teammate and compared the Scotland international to England’s number one and £30million ( signing Pickford, claiming that McGregor is better. Halliday played alongside Pickford at Bradford.

“I love him to bits. I played with Jordan Pickford and he’s a top goalkeeper. He takes a lot of stick, but he’s England’s no1 and you can’t be a bad goalie if you’re that. If I was picking my best 11, I would have Greegsy ahead of him every day,” Halliday said.

TBR’s view – Is McGregor really a better goalkeeper?

It must be stated that McGregor has hardly put a foot wrong this season – and while it is difficult for players to attain world-class, or top-tier status in Scotland – that reputation should not be attributed to goalkeepers.

Goalkeepers can only save the shots they face. McGregor has been impenetrable, providing two of the best moments of Rangers’ 2020-21 season – a stunning finger tip against Celtic and Leigh Griffiths, while his save against Slavia was incredible.

While McGregor is nowhere near Pickford’s ability when it comes to playing on the deck, it is fair to say that McGregor is much less error-prone that Pickford. Both goalkeepers are excellent, but in terms of goalkeeping ability, McGregor might just win.