World Cup hopeful Sam Johnstone should move to Rangers to be in contention for England
By Sam Collins
West Bromwich Albion keeper Sam Johnstone has been the subject of interest from numerous clubs – from Tottenham Hotspur to Rangers.
The 29-year-old shot-stopper is out of contract in the summer and with the hope of Premier League football dwindling, West Brom look unlikely to be able to tempt the England World Cup hopeful with another contract.
According to the Daily Mail on Saturday [2 April], Spurs have shown interest in the Englishman as a back-up to Hugo Lloris.
However, there could be a better move for Johnstone in Glasgow. Scottish champions Rangers are set to provide Spurs with competition for the England international to replace 40-year-old Allan McGregor.
With McGregor ageing, Johnstone would be an ideal replacement for Ranger’s manager Giovanni Van Bronckhorst. Johnstone remains a World Cup hopeful and with West Brom’s chances of promotion decreasing game-by-game, a spell with Scottish giants Rangers could be the difference between being in Southgate’s final squad or not.
His credentials
Johnstone has represented England three times at the senior level and was recently called up to Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad before pulling out of the last round of England fixtures.
Johnstone has made 33 league appearances this season, keeping 14 clean sheets before this Sunday’s clash with local rivals Birmingham City.
The West Brom keeper started his career at Manchester United in 2011 under Scottish great Sir Alex Ferguson. It could be time for Johnstone to reconnect with his Scottish training with a move to Rangers, which will see him challenging for domestic trophies.
If Johnstone is to get on the plane to Qatar this winter, then challenging for trophies and starting for a European giant like Rangers would be the perfect fit.
Johnstone wouldn’t be alone in a move to Scotland, Joe Hart moved from Manchester City to Celtic and found some of the best form of his career, keeping 23 clean sheets in 43 appearances before today’s Old Firm Derby.
Out favoured by Pep Guardiola, Hart was a recognisable figure inside the English dressing room and although not in the frame anymore the Englishman is still playing some of his best football in Scotland.
A fellow contender for that third keeper position is Fraser Forster, the now Southampton keeper who played 236 times for Celtic, keeping 118 clean sheets. Forster won eight trophies with Celtic in Scotland including four Scottish titles and there is no reason Johnstone couldn’t do the same with Rangers if he was to join.
In other Rangers news, Neil Lennon has made an admission about the Gers.