The hidden Robby McCrorie moment that boosts Rangers rookie’s chances of being No.1 as Kyogo’s left cursing him

Given his record of five goals in Old Firm derbies, alarm bells were probably ringing in the Rangers defence on Saturday when the board went up in the 63rd minute for Kyogo to be introduced into the action at Ibrox Stadium.

They needn’t have worried. Because one moment in the game showed Robby McCrorie was already wide awake and alert to the danger of the Hoops Japanese talisman as he sensed the threat and thwarted an attack to prevent Kyogo finishing off a move and adding to his impressive tally against the Light Blues.

It came just two minutes after the former Vissel Kobe star entered the fray alongside compatriot Daizen Maeda as the duo replaced the ineffective Liel Abada and South Korean striker Oh Hyeon-gyu. Battling desperately to get back into the game, Kyogo and Maeda offered Ange Postecoglou’s something different going forward. And as the clock struck 65 minutes fellow Japanese star Reo Hatate picked up the ball deep in his own half before threading a lovely defence-splitting pass through the middle for Kyogo to chase. The 28-year-old beat John Souttar for pace but McCrorie was lightning quick off his line and cleared the danger. Chance gone.

It was a rare moment when Celtic managed to get in behind Rangers during the 3-0 defeat at the home of their rivals. And on the other occasions McCrorie came to the rescue, doing enough to put off Oh as he saw an effort come back off the post and a one-handed save to deny Matt O’Riley.

But it was that speed off his line to snuff out any danger that was arguably the most pleasing. Few will dispute Allan McGregor’s status as one of Rangers’ greatest ever goalkeepers – if not THE greatest – and his shot-stopping ability. But one of the major criticisms of his game has been