Allan McGregor's antics as Partick Thistle were allowed to score at Ibrox were "pathetic" - that's according to Charlie Nicholas who slaughtered the Rangers keeper.

Thistle were uncontested as they levelled the scores at 2-2 following Malik Tillman's controversial strike which came as the Championship side were about to play the ball back to Rangers.

Michael Beale instructed his players to let Thistle equalise after the major misunderstanding with Scott Tiffoney unchallenged as he jogged towards goal.

Just before poking home, McGregor half-heartedly stuck a foot out as if to tackle Tiffoney but the winger rounded the keeper's slightly outstretched foot to prod into the net.

Nicholas - a former Celtic player - has now slammed McGregor's actions as he questioned why the goalkeeper "made life as difficult as he could for the striker".

Writing in the Daily Express, Nicholas commented: “What was Rangers keeper Allan McGregor looking to achieve by half-heartedly trying to stop Scott Tiffoney from scoring on Sunday?

"Ibrox manager Michael Beale had already told his players to step aside and let Partick Thistle equalise after the mix-up with Malik Tillman's goal.

READ MORE: Michael Beale details Rangers goal decision and defends Malik Tillman

“Tiffoney ran unopposed up the pitch until he got to McGregor, who decided to make life as difficult as he could for the striker to net past him.

"Why did he have to go through the whole rigmarole? Some people might have found it funny but I thought it was pretty pathetic from McGregor."

But Nicholas did credit Beale for his intervention and action to allow Thistle to score an uncontested leveller. 

And the pundit added that the shock departure of Ian McCall and his backroom staff - thought to have been set to be sacked regardless of the Rangers match - was "very harsh".

“Credit has to go to Beale for letting Thistle score their goal (mostly) uncontested," added Nicholas. "He quickly accepted the misunderstanding with Tillman, who had been stricken on the deck when his team-mates kicked the ball out of play for him."

“It was a great gesture from Rangers but some of the gloss was taken off by McGregor's antics. It was also very harsh for Partick boss Ian McCall and his backroom staff to lose their jobs after the game.”