McAughtrie missing link for Rangers

Stafford Rangers defender Craig McAughtrie has been acclaimed as the missing link that the team have needed after his arrival to shore up the defence.

The 29-year-old rejoined the club on loan for the rest of the season from league rivals Eastwood at the end of last month, and was pitched straight in for his second debut against Harrogate before another start in last Saturday's defeat to Southport.

'Macca' has also re-affirmed his 'fan favourite' tag among supporters, after making over 200 appearances in his first spell over five years at Marston Road from 2002 to 2007.

This time the former Carlisle United stopper has been turned to as a reliable rock at the back to steer central defensive partner Manny Udoji through his first full season with Rangers, after the departure of Jermaine Johnson back to Derby County at the end of his loan spell.

Assistant manager Darren Read believes the new 'old head' at the back will continue to be key.

He said: "Craig is making all the difference, big time. It's the experience he brings - with him at the back you have got Andre Francis who is 24, then John Patrick at left-back who is 19 and Manny who is 21.

"Now they have got a player with them who has been there and done that at this level, and that little bit of know-how in grinding out results will rub off on the other players."

Some fans even suggested that McAughtrie should be named captain for the rest of the season with, at the time, Nick Wellecomme only acting as skipper after Bobby Wilson left the club to play in Australia.

Wellecomme has now taken the armband on a permanent basis, and Rangers No 2 Read believes that is the right call.

He said: "At the end of the day, Craig is still an Eastwood player and could be called back, whereas Nick is our longest-serving player and deserves the chance to lead the team for the rest of the season.

"It's about keeping continuity and we are on our second captain of the season as it is."