Allan McGregor is an 'absolute diamond', says Scotland manager Craig Levein
The reconciliation between Allan McGregor and Scotland was celebrated on Tuesday when Craig Levein described the Rangers goalkeeper – who was banned from international selection two years ago after his part in the Boozegate affair – as “an absolute diamond”.
Diamond from the rough: Craig Levein was full of praise for Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor Photo: REUTERS
By Roddy Forsyth 11:00PM BST 17 May 2011
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McGregor’s second chance came when Levein succeeded George Burley as Scotland manager in December 2009 and seven of his 11 international appearances have come this season, partly as a consequence of injury to the former first choice goalkeeper, Craig Gordon.
After two of those games – the European Championship qualifiers against the Czech Republic in Prague and Spain at Hampden Park, he was named man of the match, accolades that seemed entirely improbable after he and his then Rangers colleague, Barry Ferguson, made headlines after an all-night drinking session at Scotland’s training base on Loch Lomond, after the Scots had lost to the Dutch in a World Cup qualifier.
“I'd never worked with Allan before and you form an impression of what you see and what people's perceptions are,” said Levein. “From the moment I met him - I went down to Murray Park to speak to him about this Boozegate stuff and all the rest of it - and right away he was desperate to get back involved with the squad. From that moment he's been no different.
“I left a lot of the Rangers lads out of the Faroes game in November and Craig Gordon got a little problem with his thigh - I think it was the day before the match and we were toiling for goalkeepers. Allan was desperate to come up.
“He only got the phone call at 10 o'clock at night that Craig was struggling but he said 'I'll get in the car and come up just now' - brilliant. He has been a delight to deal with - his training is fantastic and his attitude has been great around the rest of the players.
“He's now at an age where I think he understands that football is everything for him, because he's at this stage in his career where he should be concentrating on maintaining or improving on that for as long as he can. I think he has got a new-found maturity.
“I’m trying to explain that, when I looked at Allan from outside, I didn’t understand him because I didn’t know him. Since I’ve been involved in the squad, he’s been an absolute diamond.
“Allan deserves all of the recognition for his performances this year and I think his getting into the international squad has been good for him and good for Rangers. He’s been for Scotland and he’s been great for Craig Gordon, too.
“When it comes to starting games at international level, you are looking at talent and you are looking at consistency. When you are playing at the same level every week and Allan is an eight out of 10 every week, that is the level I look for.
“Allan is achieving that and somebody at some point will come in and make an offer. I’m sure that Craig will be determined to oust Allan and it’s brilliant for me.
“I wish I had two players in every position who are of that quality.”
On the subject of another player whose services have not been available to Scotland – Steven Fletcher of Wolves, who in November informed the Scottish Football Association by text that he no longer wished to be considered for selection – Levein was cautiously positive.
“As soon as he indicates he does want to be selected, I’ll consider him,” said the manager. “He’s the one who shut the door - if he wants to open the door, then fair enough.”
The absence of Fletcher is all the more noticeable because the number of players in Levein’s squad actually exceeds the total of goals they have scored – 24 to 23 – and 13 of the goals have been scored by one player, Kenny Miller.
The Bursaspor forward will lead the line again in Dublin, but Levein may be deprived of Peterborough’s Craig Mackail-Smith, depending on the progress of the League One playoffs in England.
“One of the important things is being able to score goals and, yes, Kenny is the main man, the guy we would be looking for more than anybody to be involved in that part of it, but Mackail-Smith's record is fantastic.
“On the one hand it would be good for him if he’s unavailable because his team would be doing well. On the other hand, if we have him it lets him get more game time at this level.”
Russell Martin of Norwich City and James Forrest are the newcomers to the squad. Martin, whose father is from Kilmarnock, has yet to have his papers finalised but Levein said: “He was over in the States with Norwich and I doubt he’s been training hard – what would you be doing? – but he’s flown back and shortened his holiday.”
Scotland squad:
Gilks (Blackpool), McGregor (Rangers), Turner (Everton); Bardsley (Sunderland), Berra (Wolves), G Caldwell (Wigan), Crainey (Blackpool), Hanley (Blackburn), R Martin (Norwich), Whittaker (Rangers), Wilson (Liverpool); Adam (Blackpool), Bannan (Aston Villa), Brown (Celtic), Forrest (Celtic), McArthur (Wigan), Morrison (West Brom), Robson (Middlesbrough); Commons (Celtic), Mackail-Smith (Peterborough), Maguire (Aberdeen), McCormack (Leeds), Miller (Bursaspor), Naismith (Rangers).
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