Alexander has taken over from McGregor in Rangers' goal

Rangers manager Walter Smith amidts he probably rushed Allan McGregor into first-team action before dropping the goalkeeper for the last two matches.

McGregor was injured towards the end of last season and looked off-form at the start of the present campaign.

"He was terrific for us last season," said Smith of the Scotland goalkeeper.

"If anything, I was maybe a little unfair on him, pitching him in at the start of the season when he was just recovering from injury."

Scotland squad team-mate Neil Alexander had taken over in goal for the run-in to last season and has been handed the number one jersey after finding himself back on the bench while McGregor recovered from injury over the summer.

"Maybe at that stage, I should have given him a little bit more time and a little bit more intensive training," added Smith.