THE fight for the gloves between Ronald Wattereus and Stefan Klos saw the two veterans battle it out for a starting spot at Rangers. Behind them, the young pretender was watching and learning.
Now, it is Allan McGregor that is the experienced keeper in the Ibrox dressing room as the 35-year-old makes his presence felt on and off the park for Steven Gerrard’s side.
Wattereus was back between the sticks on Saturday as he turned out for the Rangers Legends in their charity match victory over a Premier League Select at Bloomfield Road in Blackpool.
And the Dutchman is pleased to see that the years and the game have been good to the young keeper that he took under his wing back in 2005.
Wattereus said: “Allan was a young guy when I was Rangers. He is an old guy now, right!
“I don’t speak to him but I have followed his career since then because he is a really nice guy.
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“At the time, he was maybe a bit unlucky that Rangers brought me in. He could have started his first-team career a bit earlier had it not been for that. He maybe felt a bit that way back then but he has still had a great career.
“I always thought he was pretty good as a young man. Actually, not pretty good, he was very good.
“But you can also understand that at a big club they want more experience. At some point, however, you have to have a coach who says you are going to play. It happens to all of us.
“Sometimes with goalies then tend to wait a little bit too long, but Allan got his chance at Rangers and has never looked back since then.
“I remember him being a very dedicated young goalkeeper. And he was also willing to learn.
“I came from a different background, football in Holland is a little different to most countries. I think he looked at some stuff I did, especially with my feet. I’m pretty sure he took something out of that.
“Mental toughness is 95 per cent of it for a goalkeeper and Allan clearly has that.
“Sure, you need athletic ability and talent. That’s obviously part of it. But if you are not mentally strong enough to be there, to stay there and perform every three days, you will never make it to that level.
“There is no way you can stay in goal for a big club if you are not mentally tough. No way.”
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