Asmir Begovic to play every week for Rangers as new number one as Everton exit mooted - pundit
We’re delighted to welcome Tam McManus as our exclusive Rangers columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…
Tam McManus believes Asmir Begovic would be a great signign for Rangers if they can sign the Everton goalkeeper this year.
According to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook on 29 December, 35-year-old Begovic is a “summer transfer target” at Ibrox.
Begovic’s contract at Everton expires in the summer while Allan McGregor’s deal at Ibrox is also set to end later this year.
McGregor, 40, could decide to retire when this season is over with the Ibrox great struggling to hold down his number one spot in Michael Beale’s side.
Jon McLaughlin has been rotated into the starting line-up by both Beale and Giovanni van Bronckhorst this season and McManus sees Begovic as a solid replacement for the aging McGregor.
“Begovic is a young buck compared to McGregor,” McManus told Ibrox News.
“Listen, 35 isn’t that old for a goalkeeper. You can see that with McGregor and Gianluigi Buffon, who’s still playing in Italy.
“Begovic is a very experienced goalkeeper who’s played at a high level in England.
“I think if he comes to Rangers, he’ll play every week.
“He’s got bags of experience at Premier League and international level so that is a signing for Rangers if they can get him.
“I think the fans would really like a top goalkeeper to come in.”
Begovic has played just three times for Everton this season as he’s their second choice goalkeeper behind Jordan Pickford.
The former Stoke, Bournemouth and Chelsea shot-stopper has played 256 times in the English Premier League and has also won 63 caps with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Daily Record reported on 25 January that Rangers could look to sign Begovic on a pre-contract deal but there’s reported competition from Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo’s new club in Saudi Arabia.
In other Rangers news, a club in Europe holds the option to re-sign a player from Ibrox whenever they like.