ALLAN McGREGOR has advised understudy Lee Robinson to go out on loan to improve his first-team prospects.

McGregor has made the goalkeeper's jersey his own this season after spells at St Johnstone and Dunfermline in recent years.

And McGregor has urged 20-year-old Robinson - who is on a deal at Ibrox until 2009 - to follow suit.

The Sunderland-born player's only top-team appearance came last May as a substitute for Ronald Waterreus in a 2-0 win over Hearts.

McGregor said: "I would recommend that Lee goes out on loan. He has only played about 10 minutes in the first team so he needs the experience.

"It definitely helped me. I had two spells on loan and there is no doubt it improved me as a keeper.

"Lee has been on the bench a few times and he has done well for the reserves. I think the gaffer likes him so I think the future is bright for him.

"He has not long signed a new contract so clearly the club have faith in him.

"I had six months at St Johnstone. That was my first taste of first-team football and I really enjoyed it because I got into the swing of things."

Boss Walter Smith has already admitted he is considering the option McGregor believes would help Robinson, and that will mean at least one new keeper coming in over the summer.

"I expect that," McGregor said, "There will be competition and I'll need to battle for my place."