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Rangers transfer plans for Jack Butland given thumbs up with on-loan Manchester United keeper tipped for Ibrox
Alan Rough has praised Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland after the 30-year-old was linked with a summer move to Rangers.
Butland is currently on loan at Manchester United but is free to talk to other clubs, with his deal at Selhurst Park set to expire at the end of the season.
According to Football Scotland on 25 April, the former England international is ready to “pen a deal” at Ibrox and bring his Premier League career to a close.
Former Scotland keeper Rough has since reacted to the news and believes a move for the Crystal Palace star will be a smart piece of business.
“No [no surprise], that’s the kind of goalkeeper they would go for,” said Rough (PLZ Football Show, 27m 06s, 25 April).
“He’s been about playing at the top level down there. He comes into the category of yeah, I think it will be a good signing.
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“He’s been hanging around the England set-up previously so he’s got something and when I saw his name I thought good choice.”
Astute
This could be an astute piece of business from Michael Beale. Butland has struggled in recent years but on the whole he’s had a relatively successful spell in England for the likes of Stoke City and Palace.
30 is the prime age for a goalkeeper and if he did join Rangers he would provide the club with at least five years of service.
We all know the number one position is of paramount importance, particularly with Allan McGregor set to call time on his career at the end of the 2022/23 season. Many were hoping for a younger addition and potentially a transfer fee paid but this move could allow for Rangers to invest heavily in other areas of the squad.
With Alfredo Morelos on his way out of the club, a new striker will almost certainly be required and a prolific frontman cannot be acquired on the cheap. It’s a similar situation out wide, with Ryan Kent’s future still up in the air.
It remains to be seen just how big Beale’s war chest will be, but there’s a good chance the former QPR boss will have to wheel and deal in the market in order to shape his squad in the correct way.
In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist has named the player who “has to play” against Celtic at Hampden Park.