The knee injury that ruled first-choice Stefan Klos out for the rest of the season had prompted McLeish to recruit Waterreus from Manchester City, especially as McGregor was cup-tied for the CIS Insurance Cup semi-final with Dundee United.

McGregor’s displeasure was made public on the day of Rangers’ 7-1 romp at Hampden Park and it remains to be seen who will be chosen at home to Hibernian on Saturday.

McLeish told Rangers News: “Allan got sucked into a few things last week but he knows that after a sit-down with me that a club like Rangers must have an experienced goalkeeper on its books.”

A contrite McGregor added: “It was a shock when I heard the gaffer had signed another ‘keeper because a few people had said to me that they did not think this would happen.

“Of course, it is up to the manager and you have to respect his decisions so I will just keep working as hard as ever and hope I do enough to earn a starting slot in the team.

“I realise the next six months could be the most important of my Rangers career and I am just desperate to show everyone at the club what I can do.”

Plenty of Rangers’ first-teamers are in action across the globe and McLeish will be hoping his players return from international duty free of injury.

Forwards Peter Lovenkrands and Shota Arveladze are expected to rejoin the squad following injuries however, although Bojan Djordjic remains sidelined by a groin problem.

The game will also mark Barry Ferguson’s first home appearance since resigning for the club on transfer deadline day after an unhappy 18-months spell at Blackburn.

Meanwhile, striker Dado Prso has declared he is loving life at the club following his summer switch from Monaco.

The Croatia international has netted 14 times so far and is intent on adding more.

He said: “I am really happy at this club because I came here to win the title and we are in a good position and now we have the CIS Cup Final to look forward to as well.

“I am here to score goals and help the club win trophies and I think I have done okay so far.

“I was really pleased to come to Rangers and I always want to do well for the fans of this club.

“You must work hard here because the supporters pay a lot of money for match tickets so we all have to work hard for 90 minutes.

“You have to fight for the Rangers jersey and I appreciate that. We have 50,000 people at every home game and I don’t want to let them down.

“The fans are so passionate here and I love living in Scotland. I am really settled. My kids go to school and we are happy.

“I always thought I would settle quickly and I really feel a part of the squad.”