McCrorie was tonight confirmed as having moved to West Lothian until the end of the season – though Gerrard expressed sympathy for Queen of the South with McCrorie leaving there after a hugely impressive few months.
The manager told today’s press conference: “There is an opportunity for him to play in the Premiership, and there’s a situation where we don’t really want to do what we have to do, but we have to for the sake of the boy because it will be brilliant for his development to play in the Premiership.
“We really, really respect that, and it’s not something we want to do by taking a ‘keeper away from someone, but when the kid gets the opportunity to play a league above, and with all due respect, better himself and develop and get that chance to play in the Premiership, it probably gives him a better chance of coming back here and playing for Rangers.
“For the kid it is a no-brainer, though it is slightly awkward for us as we don’t want to let anyone down and Queen of the South probably thought they’ve had Robby for the full year.
“But we have to forget about that and think what is best for the kid himself, and it is too good an opportunity to turn down.
“But if Robby keeps developing in the way he is and the speed he is, I have no doubt he can come back here and affect the two main positions for the goalkeeper.”
Gerrard also spoke about the influence Allan McGregor has had on McCrorie adding: “Allan is his role model in many ways and I think there is a lot of respect there, also Wes too who is capable of being a number one in his own right.
“We also have Andy Firth who has just signed up for another year which makes us fine in that area for now.
“Then we will analyse the situation in that area in six and 12 months’ time to see what the next-best thing is in that area.”