The veteran goalkeeper’s performances have come under the scanner due to a few poor moments in recent games, which have cost Rangers points in the league table.
His position in the team is under the focus and there are calls from some for Giovanni van Bronckhorst to take the 40-year-old out of the starting eleven for the time being.
However, Hartson stressed that it is time for Rangers to stand by him and keep McGregor in the team as it is easy to forget his role in them winning the league title last season.
He stressed that the veteran is still good enough to produce in the big moments and a few bad performances do not mean that he is no longer a brilliant goalkeeper.
Hartson said on the Go Radio Football Show: “I think you do [stand by him].
“Alright, he has got stick once or twice this season, only because he has set the standards so high.
“Let’s not forget he was instrumental in helping Rangers win the league last season.
“Some of the saves he was pulling off were like a 21-year-old Allan McGregor, he was absolutely fabulous at times.
“I think you stick with him, I really do because he is capable of keeping clean sheets in the big moments, we have seen it in Europe many times.
“And again, he is one of the reasons why Rangers have been successful in the last few seasons in Europe.
“He is still a top-class goalkeeper.”
It remains to be seen whether McGregor will be in the starting eleven when Rangers take on St. Johnstone tonight.
