ANDY Firth could find himself on the bench for Rangers this weekend after first-choice goalkeeper Allan McGregor failed to overturn his two-match ban on appeal.

McGregor, 37, was adjudged to have slid into Aberdeen’s Lewis Ferguson with his studs up during last week’s win at Pittodrie.

He challenged the charge, but it was upheld at Hampden Park by the Scottish Football Association on yesterday.

Referee Bobby Madden did not caution McGregor, who was later issued with a notice of complaint.

McGregor will miss Saturday’s home league game against St Johnstone and the Scottish Cup fourth-round replay against Kilmarnock.

His absence means back-up Wes Foderingham is likely to start for St Johnstone’s trip to Ibrox, which in turn would see former Barrow AFC goalkeeper Firth elevated to the substitutes bench.

The 22-year-old, who moved from the Bluebirds to the Scottish giants on an 18-month contract last month, is enjoying the opportunity to learn from Foderingham and McGregor, having worked with the latter at Hull City earlier in his career.

“I was only there for a week but everything he showed me – you just look and he’s someone who has done that much in the game and he’s still flying at his age,” Firth told Rangers TV.

“It’s unbelievable so hopefully I can just pick up bits from the pair of them and hopefully it will improve me as well.”