Steven Gerrard praises Rangers newcomer who’ll ‘thrive on the pressurised environment at Ibrox’

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Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has praised new signing Jon McLaughlin, describing the goalkeeper as a “vastly experienced professional” who will “thrive on the pressurised environment at Ibrox”.

With Rangers losing Wes Foderingham and Jak Alnwick at the end of the Scottish Premiership season, the club moved quickly to secure an experienced replacement who will vie with Allan McGregor in between the Ibrox sticks.

Rangers announced McLaughlin’s signing on Tuesday, the 32-year-old Scotland international linking up with the Ibrox side after two seasons in England’s League One with Sunderland.

McLaughlin has made over 400 professional appearances, including in the Scottish top flight with Hearts, and has won two caps for his country, making his international debut in a 1-0 defeat against Mexico in June 2018.

Speaking about his new signing, manager Steven Gerrard told the official Rangers website: “Jon is a vastly experienced professional who will add strength and depth to our squad.

“He is here to compete for the number one shirt and will add much needed competition for places. He was involved in playoffs with Sunderland and will thrive on the pressurised environment at Ibrox. His experience in the SPFL will stand by him as he continues to fight for a place in the Scotland squad.”

Sporting director Ross Wilson added: “Jon joins Rangers with excellent experience. For the past seven seasons he has been present in almost every game, displaying a huge consistency of performance that is so important for a Rangers goalkeeper.

“He will provide strong competition to the outstanding Allan McGregor and we know that Jon’s character, personality and professionalism will be important for the group for at least the next two years.”

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Rangers needed to bring in reinforcements in between the sticks and, as luck would have it, there was an experienced Scotland international with top-flight experience who was set to become a free agent in wake of Sunderland’s poor 2019-20 season.

While McGregor is still doing superbly, there was a need for a player who could prove direct competition, and the Gers have got their man, which bodes well ahead of next season.