BBC Scotland pundit thrilled for Rangers with advanced talks underway to sign Jack Butland
BBC Scotland pundit Kenny Miller believes Jack Butland would be a “statement signing” for Rangers, with the goalkeeper “hungry” to impress.
The Gers are locked in advanced talks to sign the 30-year-old this summer, according to the Daily Record’s print edition [02 May, pg 45].
Butland is currently on loan at Premier League giants Manchester United from Crystal Palace.
“That’s a move I’d be in favour of,” Miller wrote for the Daily Record. “Remember, Butland is a guy who made it into the England squad not so long ago.
“He’ll be hungry. Being 30 is young for a goalkeeper. He’ll be thinking that if he comes in and performs well for Rangers, maybe at Champions League level, he could still get a move back to the Premier League.
“It would be a good fit for Rangers – and it would be a good opportunity for Jack as well. As I say, it would be a statement signing from the club.”
Huge coup
The signature of Butland would definitely be a big statement from Rangers, with the goalkeeper boasting plenty of Premier League experience with the likes of Palace and former club Stoke City, as well as international experience with England.
With Allan McGregor looking increasingly likely of leaving the club at the end of the season, a new goalkeeper should be a priority for manager Michael Beale, and he might not find better than Butland.
The 30-year-old has not featured for Manchester United and is out of favour at Palace, meaning a move to Ibrox would also be very suitable for him as he seeks regular playing time.
The goalkeeper can take inspiration from Celtic number one Joe Hart, who has reignited his career with a similar switch from England to Scotland.
Hart has already gained cult hero status at Celtic Park, something that Butland could quickly gain at Ibrox if he makes the move north of the border this summer.
In other Rangers news, Michael Beale won’t have enough to “topple” Celtic if his transfer budget is less than £10million, with up to 12 players needed, according to one pundit.