Allan McGregor has admitted the only thing that stopped him from hanging up his gloves last season was winning 55 and the defence of it next term.

Speaking pre-season, Rangers’ outstanding goalie was ready to call it a day 100%, but the securing of 55 changed that, and when Rangers offered a new one-year deal, it was a gimme.

Did Greegsy not expect to win the title? Unclear, but the only club that could bring Walter Smith away from the Scotland job was Rangers, and the only club that could extend McGregor’s playing career was Rangers.

He was getting close to retirement age back in 2018 but for Steven Gerrard and the Rangers Revolution to persuade him as a free agent to come back north – again, the only gig that would do that.

Indeed, he quit Scotland to ensure he could give everything to Rangers, and now, having won 55, Rangers have one of Britain’s best goalies for our assault both on 56 and the CL.

In truth, McGregor is at a level above what Rangers might have been able to get three years ago, and he was a free – he is a simply world class goalkeeper, but one who has always saved that best form for Rangers.

The world class McGregor only ever surfaced at Rangers, and now that we have him for another season, who knows how long he’ll last.

The question of retirement will eventually become significant for McGregor, but for now, Rangers have a remarkable goalie and that can only stand us in good stead next season.