Rangers made approach for Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone as stumbling block detailed by David Edgar
Rangers previously made an approach to sign Sam Johnstone of Crystal Palace when the goalkeeper was out of contract but wages proved to be a stumbling block, according to David Edgar of Heart and Hand podcast.
Last summer, Johnstone signed a four-year deal at Selhurst Park after he’d been made a free agent by West Brom.
The 30-year-old was a key figure, especially in the first half to keep his side in the game, as Palace came from behind to record a stunning 5-1 win over Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.
During the Premier League clash on Sunday, Edgar had responded to a comment on Twitter pondering if Rangers had made an approach for a player with the profile of Johnstone who should certainly have been on the club’s radar.
The host of the popular Rangers’ fan media outlet and club partner stated that this did happen.
“We did but wages were [a] stumbling block,” said the official club partner on Sunday (9 April) when asked about a possible move.
Priority position
The exact same situation will be revisited this summer, with plenty of speculation over the future of Allan McGregor.
The 41-year-old veteran is surely set to bow out at the end of the season, but in the absence of confirmation of what he intends to do, there are continued mixed messages and claims on his status.
At this stage, Rangers really need a new, undisputed number one as much as McGregor is still playing his part and giving his best for the club.
In Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Celtic, the goalkeeper wasn’t at fault for any of the goals but as Jota beat him to the ball for the Parkhead team’s third, it was a case of a 41-year old chasing a 24-year-old with an inevitable outcome.
Rangers need to identify the best potential candidate to replace McGregor for next season and if required, spend the relative, required amount of money for what is a priority position.
In other Rangers news, a BBC Sport pundit is “hugely encouraged” by one Rangers player despite the loss v Celtic.