The saves were 35 years apart but, whether you're a Bear or a Sunderland fan, the memories will live on for another 35 years and more.
One of the great endearing visions of FA Cup history is that of Jim Montgomery throwing himself across the Wembley goalmouth to touch a Peter Lorimer shot on to the crossbar as Leeds United pounded Sunderland towards the end of the 1973 Final. The Wearsiders held out to win 1-0 and lift the trophy and Monty has dined out on the moment ever since. Allan McGregor's near identical save from Boubacar Sanogo six minutes from the end of Rangers' backs-to-the-wall battle in Bremen in March could prove to be no less significant in our club's quest for UEFA Cup glory.
With no disrespect to Neil Alexander - being the hero in two semi-final shoot-outs is hard to beat! - the prospect of usbeing without McGregor for the remainder of the season bothers me. In a season of many plusses at Ibrox, the
emergence of Allan as the genuine article between the sticks has been very welcome indeed. The first team experience gained on loan at St. Johnstone and Dunfermline and the test of character he came through when snubbed by PLG, then grudgingly thrown in behind the Frenchman's ropey back line, have helped to make him a much better keeper. He is no raw kid being asked to do a man's job.
He will be the first to acknowledge that he has benefitted greatly from the settled centre-back partnership in front of him. Carlos Cuellar and David Weir have been immense, in marked contrast to the indecisive defensive play of Karl Svensson and Julien Rodriguez 18 months ago, and with that understanding has come an assured decision-making process, with the goalie knowing when to come and when to stay. Where he was once a flapper, Allan McGregor now exudes a commanding presence in the box.
As he showed in Bremen and again at Hampden a few days later, there ain't too many better shot-stoppers around. If not for Rangers' busy schedule, he was a sure-fire certainty to be between the posts for Scotland against Croatia recently and it can only be good for the national team to have a keeper of Allan's quality putting pressure on Craig Gordon for the number one shirt. His current injury must bother George Burley as much as Walter
Of course, in addition to his magnificent performance in Germany and his League Cup winning exploits against Dundee United, Allan appeared on the front pages of the papers not so very long ago, prompting some Bears to rename him Allan McShagger. One of the funnies doing the rounds when we were in Bremen was that, with the team duly fed and packed off to their beds, the goalie collared the night porter and asked about the possibility of some birds being sent to his hotel room.
"Nein," said the indignant German.
"Brilliant!" was our man's response. "Ah usually have tae make dae wi' three."
As a single guy with a few quid in his pocket, Allan McGregor is perfectly entitled to be free with his favours. Indeed, in view of his recent impressive displays - without the injury it was possibly Player Of The Year stuff - maybe there is a case for a wee bit of hows-yer-father being compulsory for any player suffering a dip in form!!!
Meanwhile, although worried about his current absence, Rangers fans can look to the long term future confidently, secure in the knowledge that once more our team has a goalkeeper we can rely on, a man fit to fill the gloves of Chris Woods, Andy Goram and Stefan Klos. Furthermore, at 26, the signs are that he will be around for a few years to come. Lets hope he shakes off his injury and makes a rapid return to the team.
And when he is old and grey, Allan McGregor could do worse than follow in Jim Montgomery's footsteps and make a living on the after-dinner circuit, reliving the memory of 'that' save.
KILLIE BILLY