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TBR View: Should Rangers regret clause in McCrorie deal, after performance against Celtic?
Ross McCrorie starred for Aberdeen on Sunday afternoon as the Dons secured a late point against Celtic with a last-gasp penalty at Pittodrie, handing Rangers the chance to stretch their lead at the top – but should Rangers regret his exit?
Celtic went into the game having suffered two successive losses to Rangers and then to AC Milan in the Europa League. The pressure was on Neil Lennon, and his side made a poor start. Olivier Ntcham fouled Lewis Ferguson in the box.
Ferguson got up to score from the spot, but Celtic equalised after the restart through Callum McGregor. Ryan Hedges made it 2-1 to Aberdeen, but substitute Leigh Griffiths equalised. A Ryan Christie penalty pushed Celtic ahead.
Celtic looked as though they were going to scrape by with a 3-2 win, only for McGregor to give away a penalty – and Ferguson to keep his cool for a second time. McCrorie, 22, lasted the entire 90 minutes as he helped Aberdeen – and Rangers.
Indeed, the Gers stretched their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to six points following the draw against Aberdeen – as Steven Gerrard’s side cruised to a 2-0 win over Livingston. Joe Aribo and Jermain Defoe both netted.
McCrorie remains on loan at Aberdeen, but his move will become permanent next summer. He has played his last game for Rangers, where he clocked up 55 senior appearances after breaking into the senior side from the academy.
Rangers have enormous depth in midfield. Steven Davis, Ryan Jack and Glen Kamara can all play in the holding role, but do Rangers have a player that can offer as much versatility as McCrorie?
The uncapped Scotsman can play at right-back, centre-back as a right wing-back, a holding midfielder or even as a box-to-box midfielder. He showed this versatility at Rangers, and his combative efforts against Celtic on Sunday is more proof of his quality.
Rangers should feel some regret at allowing him to join Aberdeen permanently next summer, rather than just loaning him out. At least, Rangers should have charged more than the permanent £350,000 fee.
