McGregor as we all know is a huge character over at Ibrox, the fans love him and he's often a target of abuse from rival fans - probably because he's actually a decent 'keeper. I used to not care about McGregor either way until his Scotland shambles. I don't really have much time for him now. Here though, I must come out in his defence. Maybe I actually think more of him after hearing this story, until we get more detail anyway.
There's not much to go on for detail other than the story in the record. However, unless he actually started whatever "incident" he was in this time he should be lauded for being out on that fateful Saturday night. There's much more we don't know here than we actually do know about the situation surrounding the incident; he was alone, he got X-rays to check for fractured eye sockets and cheekbones and Walter Smith is angry are about the limits of our knowledge on this one.
But wait, we also know he was at a party for a Celtic player. The Record's Rangers source has said: "Walter Smith was not happy. He is incredulous that any Rangers player, let alone one with Allan McGregor's reputation, would present themselves at a party for a Celtic player, with all the potential for chaos that involves."
I will take for granted that McGregor was attacked without provocation. Wouldn't the Rangers manager be better taking an approach along the lines of "It saddens me that my player can't go to a party without being attacked, either because he attended a party for a player from our local rivals or because he attended a party for an ROI under-21 international"
In the event the incident was nothing to do with the party, we should at least take the opportunity to show to that section of narrow minded Old Firm fans they are out of touch. It's always been the case that Old Firm players have had some sort of off the park friendships, but here we have one of Ibrox's favourite sons attending a party for the other half.
I want to ask Watty, why does it matter that he presented himself at a party for a Celtic player and not just for a friend?
I see your point, but I think Smith answered your question in his statement; "a party for a Celtic player, with all the potential for chaos that involves".
ReplyDeleteSociety is at fault, and we all know that, but McGregor put himself in a position he could have avoided. Its wrong that he should have to avoid a friends party, but with said friend being a celtic player also, he should mabe have shown a little more tact.
Its still bollocks tho. haha