Jonty Banks

Thu 23 February 2023 20:30, UK

The door has been opened for Rangers to make a summer transfer move for Everton goalkeeper Asmir Begovic after Jordan Pickford’s recent contract extension has likely made him surplus to requirements.

The Gers were linked with a January move for the 35-year-old keeper, who has previously played at Stoke City, Chelsea and Bournemouth in the Premier League, but nothing materialised in the closing days of the window. [Daily Record, 25 January]

Although not confirmed, it is likely the Toffees wanted to hold onto Begovic in case Pickford left Goodison Park at the end of the season, with the Bosnia and Herzegovina international a more than qualified successor in between the sticks.

However, following the news that Pickford is set to sign an extended contract at Goodison Park imminently [Fabrizio Romano, 23 February], the Gers might well be able to lure Begovic to Ibrox in the summer transfer window due to no long-term promises of consistent game time on Merseyside.

With 41-year-old Allan McGregor reportedly “almost certain” to leave Rangers in the summer and Jon McLaughlin the only other current alternative, Michael Beale will certainly be forming a shopping list for a new number-one goalkeeper over the coming months. [Daily Record, 16 February]

The Gers could do far worse than making a move for Begovic, who has vast amounts of experience under his belt and has never failed to meet expectations in the Premier League. He is certainly up there with the best goalkeeping understudies in the Premier League and has also amassed 63 caps for his country.

An experienced pair of hands in between the sticks for Beale is a necessity in the summer, and Begovic’s experience works hand in hand with the pressure of the Old Firm derby.

The 35-year-old’s contract at Goodison Park expires in the summer, so the Gers must move quickly to open talks with him before other parties show their interest.

In other Rangers news, Alan Rough has predicted the score for the game against Celtic.