Jon McLaughlin addresses Rangers 'scrutiny' as he admits Allan McGregor is ramping up the pressure

Jon McLaughlin made a crucial save in Belgium to prevent Rangers going three goals down to Union Saint-Gilloise and almost certainly out of the Champions League. He did the same on Tuesday night to deny PSV’s Philipp Max to keep the scoreline at 2-2, keeping the dream alive ahead of next week’s play-off second leg in Eindhoven.

And yet the Rangers No 1 knows the doubters remain. He was criticised for the first goal conceded against Union and there are those who believe he should have been more commanding at the corners from which his team lost both goals to the Dutch, even if those in front of him were more culpable.

McLaughlin knows why. He only has to look at the bench to see the man he has displaced as first choice keeper. Allan McGregor, Rangers’ record European appearance holder and perhaps only second to Andy Goram in the eyes of most when it comes to a ‘best-ever Ibrox goalie’ conversation, is sitting waiting for his chance and there are many who believe he should be between the sticks.

McLaughlin, at 34, is experienced enough to handle that situation and was certainly willing enough to discuss it in the aftermath of yet another high octane European night that rocked Ibrox to its foundations.

Asked if he was aware of extra scrutiny because McGregor has been such a pivotal and popular figure, he said: “Of course. I don’t think you can get away from that. There is a lot said and a lot of noise around it.

“I suppose that comes with the territory at Rangers. It’s not as if we didn’t know that would be the case. Of course, all I can do is be the best version of myself, I can’t be somebody else. If I am asked to play I give my best for the manager, the team and the club. That’s as far as I can take it.

“Whatever