UEFA allow McGregor return

Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor has succeeded in an appeal against the second match of his UEFA Cup suspension and will be available to face Osasuna in Spain next Wednesday.

UEFA’s control and disciplinary body upheld the appeal after hearing evidence from the 25-year-old and team-mate Brahim Hemdani.

Hemdani had witnessed the incident during the home leg of the club’s last-32 tie against Hapoel Tel Aviv when McGregor was alleged to have headbutted opponent Luciano de Bruno.

McGregor protested his innocence and accused De Bruno of “blatant cheating” after the Argentinian fell down as though he had been struck.

There was little footage of the incident available, as cameras were trained on the Rangers players celebrating the third goal in a 4-0 victory.

McGregor’s ban was today commuted to one game, which he served last night when sitting out the first leg of the last-16 tie against Osasuna at Ibrox, which finished 1-1.

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain said: “Allan has protested his innocence all along and it was regrettable he had to miss last night’s UEFA Cup tie.

“However, we are pleased he can now take part in next week’s important game in Spain.”

McGregor’s return could mean Stefan Klos, the 35-year-old German goalkeeper, has played his last match for Rangers.

Klos, who joined Rangers from Borussia Dortmund in 1998, is due to leave the club this summer.