Glasgow Ranger goalkeeper Allan McGregor has heaped praise on Robby McCrorie and tipped the youngster for the very top...

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Livingston re-signed the 22-year-old stopper from Rangers on a season-long loan in the summer after he impressed at the Almondvale Stadium during his brief initial loan spell before the 2019-20 Scottish Premiership campaign was cut short because of coronavirus.

McCrorie has become a first-team regular starter for the Lions with ten starts in 13 appearances so far this season, although he was forced to miss several games after testing positive for coronavirus whilst away on international duty with the Scotland U-21s.

McGregor has spoken of his admiration of the Rangers youngster, with the veteran keeper admitting he was "impressed" by his performances on the training pitch in pre-season training.

He told the club's official YouTube channel: “I rate Robby very highly. The first day I came in, when we were in Spain for pre-season, he looked very, very good. I was really impressed by him so hopefully he can progress, move on, keep his feet on the ground and do really well."

“He is doing what I did and going out and playing. He has probably played a lot more games than me at that age so it can only be beneficial for him."

McGregor has now challenged McCrorie to seize the opportunity with open arms, with Kai Kennedy, Jake Hastie and Stephen Kelly all plying their trade elsewhere this season.

“I said to Robby and Colin Stewart that it is a must. To go and get experience and play for something.

“I think it will be really good for his career, massively beneficial for him. A lot of young guys are away on loan to get experience and that can only be beneficial for the club and the players."

McGregor's heir apparent

The twin brother of fellow Auchenhowie graduate Ross, McCrorie hasn't made a competitive appearance for the 54-time Scottish champions.

With the academy product still yet to feature for Livingston caretaker manager David Martindale's side since he recovered from coronavirus, the step-up to the next level may still be a while off, although it's worth remembering he received his first call-up to the senior Scotland side back in October, which will no doubt have caught Steven Gerrard's attention as the Ibrox boss keeps a close eye on the club's famed academy.

McCrorie made a strong start to the season, with two clean sheets in ten games in the Premiership, but has found himself playing second-fiddle to Polish shot-stopper Max Stryjek in recent weeks.

However, he has shown enough to earn the respect of McGregor, which speaks volumes, whilst he made one save, three high claims and took 53 touches of the ball to keep a clean sheet against St. Johnstone, as per SofaScore, bringing confidence, control and stability at the back.

Once lauded as an "excellent" player by his former boss Gary Holt, if the Scotland U21 international can continue to progress at such a rapid rate, it may not be too long before Gerrard starts to seriously consider him as a potential replacement for the 38-year-old, who's current contract with the club will run out in the summer.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers must bite the bullet and sell Jordan Jones in January...