MARK Hateley has told Hull City supporters they have landed one of the "top five goalkeepers of the modern era" in new £1.8m signing Allan McGregor.
Hateley, who was player-manager of the Tigers between 1997 and 1998, has tracked McGregor's career closely as an SPL pundit and witnessed the keeper's progression up through the ranks at Rangers.
A move away from Ibrox last summer brought a free transfer to Turkish side Besiktas, but City's invitation for a first tilt at the Premier League proved too good to resist when McGregor signed a three-year deal this week.
The 31-year-old will start afresh when teaming up with the Tigers for pre-season training on Monday and, according to Hateley, City will enjoy the services of a world-class keeper.
"Hull City are getting a very, very good keeper," Hateley told the Mail.
"Everybody is now looking for a keeper who is 6ft 5in, 6ft 6in, and if Allan was a three or four inches bigger, I'm sure he'd have got a move to one of the big clubs in English football, that's how good I think he is.
"At 6ft 1in I think people perhaps have judged him unfairly but he's a proven goalkeeper.
"I think he's been unfortunate not to have earned a big move as I would have him in my top five goalkeepers of the modern era, I really would.
"He makes incredible saves and commands his box so I'm sure he'll be a terrific addition for Hull."
McGregor returns to the British game where he enjoyed rich success with Rangers up until his exit in 2012.
As well winning three consecutive SPL titles in 2009, 2010 and 2011, named in the top division's PFA Team of the Year on each occasion, City's new signing also boasts eight cup medals with the Gers from a glittering spell.
Hateley added: "I saw Allan for the first time a long time ago and everything he did as a young lad was good; his movement, his quick feet, he's always been a very confident boy in the box. Hull are getting him at a good age.
"Every Rangers fan would speak highly of him I'm sure. He played a massive role in some big years for the club, you can't underestimate that.
"There's been some fine keepers at Rangers like Andy Goram and Stefan Klos but most people would put Allan in that bracket."
McGregor's stint was not without controversy.
In 2009 he was dropped from the Scotland side by then manager George Burley for a breach of team discipline that famously became known as "Boozegate" among tabloid reports.
A return to the international set-up has since followed, however, leaving Hateley believing the keeper has learned from his mistakes.
"He's matured in the last few years," he added. "I've worked with some crazy keepers in my time, it's often a trait of theirs.
"He fits that bill but he's got a family now with his good lady and playing abroad in Turkey will have changed him I'm sure.
"I know myself it's not easy playing in a different country but it will have been a great experience for him."
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