ALLAN MCGREGOR has backed Robby McCrorie to return to Rangers and stake his claim for the Ibrox number one jersey.

The keeper is currently on loan at Livingston as he earns more crucial Premiership experience following several stints in the lower leagues.

McGregor emerged through the Rangers youth ranks himself and is now leading by example as Steven Gerrard's side eye the Premiership title this term.

The Academy structure at Auchenhowie benefits from the support of Gers fans through the Rangers Youth Development Company.

And McGregor is pleased to see that investment - which stands at almost £9million since 2002 - paying dividends once again as McCrorie looks to follow his path to first team glory.

McGregor said: “I rate Robby very highly. The first day I came in, when we were in Spain for pre-season, he looked very, very good. I was really impressed by him so hopefully he can progress, move on, keep his feet on the ground and do really well.

“He is doing what I did and going out and playing. He has probably played a lot more games than me at that age so it can only be beneficial for him.

“I said to Robby and Colin Stewart that it is a must. To go and get experience and play for something.

“I think it will be really good for his career, massively beneficial for him. A lot of young guys are away on loan to get experience and that can only be beneficial for the club and the players.

“Looking back on my own start at Rangers, I was with Hutcheson Vale boys club in Edinburgh and we used to train at Cramond the same time Rangers did.

“I got the chance to train with them a couple of times and I must have done alright as Jim Dorney took me through to train on the Astroturf across from Ibrox. That started once a week then progressed from twice a week and the development league on Sundays.

“The 18s or 19s goalkeepers – Neil Inglis and Mikey Rae - used to come down and train with us across from Ibrox at that time and it progressed from there.

“It is difficult to break through and there were no transfer windows so any club could buy anybody at any time.

“But you come here and you get the best coaching. Alan Hodgkinson was here at the time and it was just the beginning of the era of full-time goalkeeping coaches.

“So that was a big factor as well in coming to Rangers.

“Both loan spells were beneficial. If I never did it would I have got the chance to play? I don’t know.

"So it definitely was the best thing and is for any young kid really. Playing games is a priority."