Rangers 3-0 Red Star Belgrade: How 40-year-old Allan McGregor continues to confound critics

At 40-years-old, Allan McGregor is still proving to be the difference for Rangers at the highest level.

Rare mistakes this term have cast some doubt over the Ibrox goalkeeper's place in the side and whether his 21-year career is drawing to a natural conclusion.

But the veteran former Scotland international, whose contract expires at the end of the season, highlighted his importance yet again with a stunning display in Thursday's 3-0 first-leg Europa League win over Red Star Belgrade.

Here, BBC Scotland looks at the numbers behind McGregor's season and why he might not be done just yet.

Van Bronckhorst suggested post-match that perhaps 3-0 flattered Rangers, saying «the scoreline, you wouldn't expect it when you see the game».

And it was a game decided by fine margins, with McGregor pulling off a stunning stop to deny Red Star's clinical, free-scoring forward Aleksandar Katai from the penalty spot on 24 minutes.

With the score at 2-0, had Katai's effort found the back of the net, the complexion of the tie could have changed dramatically. But McGregor kept Rangers' clean sheet intact, throwing himself low to his right and denying the forward with a strong wrist.

«Wonderful, outstanding,» said Sportsound pundit Leanne Crichton of the save.

«Amazing,» added Van Bronckhorst.

«It's an incredible save, the 40-year-old comes to Rangers' rescue again,» added former Rangers midfielder Alex Rae.

McGregor had to be sharp in the second period as Red Star attempted to reduce Rangers' advantage, with alert near-post saves thwarting Katai and El Fardou Ben before a fine reaction stop prevented Mirko Ivanic finding the bottom-right corner.

Any question marks around McGregor have come from uncharacteristic errors made on the domestic front, with a