Jon McLaughlin may have replaced Alan McGregor as the Rangers number one goalkeeper, Sky Sports contributor Alan Hutton has claimed.

What's the word?

McGregor has been the Rangers number one since returning to the club in 2018, but the 40-year-old has spent some time on the bench with McLaughlin starting, and was on the bench for the Gers' 2-0 win away at Dundee United.

McLaughlin, 35, received a 6/10 rating as Rangers kept a clean sheet, and Hutton believes that Michael Beale may prefer him for his style.

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton claimed that the Rangers manager may start to pick McLaughlin going forward.

“Normally when you look at teams in general, I know it is slightly changing now, the back four and goalkeeper used to stay the same" Hutton claimed.

“You build up those partnerships, you know when the keeper is coming out, what he is going to do with the ball.

“I did listen to Beale and his explanation. He obviously thinks McLaughlin is slightly better at coming for cross balls, he thought that was going to be a target for Dundee United to get the ball into the box.

“You have to take him at his word. We will soon find out in upcoming weeks if he has decided to change his mind long-term but he did give and explanation for it.“

A long-term solution needed?

Given that the two goalkeepers have a combined age of 75, it is likely that neither will be the first choice over the coming years, and the club will have to find a solution.

McGregor is out of contract at the end of the season, and if he is replaced as the number one by McLaughlin, then the club will have a tough decision to make on whether to keep him on or let him leave.

Beale should target a keeper who he can rely on for the next few seasons, as he looks to make his mark on the squad.