Rangers goalkeeper Lee Robinson sets sights on new deal

[pete 2,499]

Rangers goalkeeper Lee Robinson sets sights on new deal as he dreams of playing for Light Blues in top flight

 

06:00, 23 February 2015

By Gary Ralston

 

THE Gers keeper has been handed his place between the sticks again after Steve Simonsen was handed a one-match ban for breaking the rules by gambling on football matches.

 

LEE ROBINSON is the new Rangers No.1 who is reluctantly coming to terms with aiming to finish second best.

 

The Gers keeper feared he was staring at the exit door a month ago after spending much of his second stint at Ibrox on the outside looking in.

 

Now he is eyeing a new deal and dreaming of playing for Rangers again in the top flight, even if he concedes a Premiership return next season must come via the play-offs.

 

Robinson owes his break to the folly of close pal Steve Simonsen, who admitted breaking the rules by gambling £200 on football matches over the last 12 months and was hit by a one-match ban by the SFA.

 

The 28-year-old was handed his place between the sticks against Hibs and although they lost 2-0, he impressed stand-in boss Kenny McDowall enough to keep his place for the 2-1 win at Raith Rovers on Friday .

 

First-team coach Gordon Durie said: “Lee is in possession of the shirt – and it’s up for him to lose it.”

 

Robinson played only twice in the first half of the season but that was double the number of appearances he made in his first stint at Ibrox over five years from 2004. His debut came as a sub in a 2-0 win over Hearts nine years ago.

 

The Jambos are on his mind again and as they lead the Championship by 20 points, albeit the Light Blues have three games in hand, he admits they are aiming for best of the rest.

 

Robinson said: “It’s about doing the best in every game and we need to finish second. We shouldn’t be second, really, but the way it is, second would be okay now.

 

“If we go on a good run it could get us going. It’s going to be difficult to catch Hearts but we can only do the best we can.

 

“It was great to get that win at Raith Rovers – more of a relief, actually – because there has been a lot of negative stuff recently.

 

“However, a victory makes thing better. We should have defeated Hibs the week before. If you win at the weekend, it makes things brighter. The last two games have been really positive for me. I’ve done all right in both, considering I haven’t played for a while.

 

“The circumstances of my opportunity, with Steve picking up a ban, have not been easy, not least because he’s my mate. I’ve just got to do the best I can because I’ve waited a long time for my chance.

 

“Steve’s been doing well and Cammy Bell is coming back too, so it’ll be difficult to keep my place. It’s funny how it’s worked out. I enjoyed my time here years ago and when I left I never thought I’d return to Rangers.

 

“If the season had ended a few weeks ago I’d have been the first one out the door because I hadn’t been given a chance. I’d have been first on the list to leave.

 

“But all I’ve wanted this season is the chance to show what I can do. I’ve never played for a club like this before. It’s great to be back, I want to make the most of it.”

 

Ally McCoist turned to Robinson, who has also had two spells with Queen of the South and stints at Morton, St Johnstone and Raith, when Bell picked up a shoulder injury in August.

 

The Sunderland-born star attracted a string of suitors in the summer but none was in the league of the Light Blues and he admits his patience paid off after he first heard of their interest at the end of last season.

 

He said: “A few managers spoke to me in June about signing but I didn’t want to go anywhere else, I wanted to wait. It went on a long time, from June until the end of August, so it was difficult but worth it in the end.

 

“I had a few offers from other clubs but nothing like Rangers. I’m appreciating my chance and I’d love to be here next season.

 

“If I could be anywhere for the next few years it would be here but I haven’t got a clue if I’m even playing next week never mind next season. I just want to do as well as I can.”

 

Midfielder Andy Murdoch has also caught the eye after he was handed a more prominent role in the team by McDowall and the Under-20 skipper rewarded the faith shown in him with his first goal for Rangers, the opener at Stark’s Park.

 

Robinson said: “I didn’t realise Andy was only 20. He’s done well in the reserves and Ian Durrant thinks a lot of him. He was put in against Hibs, did well and then followed it up with that great goal against Rovers. We’ve got good young players and a lot of talent here.”

 

HOOOOO! Slow down mate. you have still to prove you are any good yet.

[Laudbertz 0]

Two games as No. 1 and he's bringing up new deal? Thats a bit presumptuous. I wouldnt mind him getting an extension if he keeps it up to the end of the season. Either way I doubt he will retain the No. 1 jersey next year with Bell back, plus I would expect us to get a better calibre keeper in, he has to be prepared to compete for it.

Edited February 23, 2015 by Laudbertz