Rangers interested in Crystal Palace keeper Jack Butland as possible Allan McGregor replacement
Rangers are “on alert” over Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland as they look for replacements for Allan McGregor, The Sun reports.
Both the former England international’s and the Gers number one’s futures are currently unclear, with 40-year-old McGregor out of contract this summer.
And despite being in and out of the team in the Premier League towards the end of the season, 29-year-old Butland is largely second choice in south London behind Vicente Guaita.
According to the report from Alan Nixon the interest from Ibrox is based on their ambitions to reach the Champions League group stage next season.
They will have to battle Bournemouth if do they follow up their interest but also reportedly have “other options” for the position.
Stalwart McGregor was excellent during the Europa League run but his form was uneven in the league and it is still unclear whether he will retire.
Plans
The former Scotland keeper may yet come back for another season, but at his age the club are going to have to make plans for the future one way or another as he won’t be playing long-term.
Butland would be are solid addition if the club aren’t comfortable handing the gloves to Jon McLaughlin next season.
The former Stoke man was once the hottest young prospect in England in goal but his status has fallen in the years since they were relegated from the top flight.
He made 15 appearances for the Eagles this season in all competitions but hasn’t featured heavily on the whole in his two years at Selhurst Park.
Glasgow rivals Celtic have enjoyed success this year with a former England international at the back in the form of Joe Hart, and the chance to revive his career in a similar fashion could be exactly what Butland needs.
At his age he should be still in his prime, and regular first-team football is clearly preferable to sitting on the bench.
However, if newly-promoted Bournemouth are serious about targeting him and offer him the starting position for their return to the Premier League then the main card the Bears can play would be the prospect of playing in Europe.
In other Rangers news, Calvin Bassey may now stay at the club after recent developments, while there is interest in two other Ibrox stars.