Jack Butland to Rangers transfer draws ‘brilliant’ reaction from manager as deal closes in
Lee Clark has raved about Jack Butland’s proposed move to Rangers as “brilliant” for a “quality goalkeeper” as the Crystal Palace man nears a deal.
Fabrizio Romano reported on Thursday morning (1 June) that an agreement with the 30-year-old was “getting closer” as Michael Beale looks to find a replacement for the departing Allan McGregor.
And Butland’s former Birmingham Boss Clark has backed him to follow the 500-plus game Rangers veteran while emulating a career resurgence like Celtic counterpart Joe Hart.
The former Kilmarnock manager said, as per the Daily Record: “Jack is a quality goalkeeper and if he gets a move to Rangers it will be brilliant for both him and the club. We didn’t want to sell him at Birmingham but our financial situation meant we had to. I really did rate him that highly…
“So I’d expect he would be excited and would embrace the challenge that comes with playing for one of the biggest clubs in Europe like Rangers. Especially the challenge of trying to stop Celtic.
“Rangers are massive. I already knew it but not until I became Kilmarnock manager did I really understand just how big they and Celtic are. Jack would love being part of that. It would be a brilliant move for him.”
He added: “If this move to Rangers materialises it will be good for him and for Rangers. Look what the move to Celtic has done for Joe Hart.
“It’s going to be a big summer for Rangers and they need to somehow stop the dominance of Celtic so recruitment is massive for them over the next few months.
They need to change the narrative with Celtic on the verge of another Treble. When Jack looks back on his career he’ll be wanting to see appearances and achievements and not just having spent time at big clubs without playing.
“He will want to be a No.1 and start to get to the number of games he deserves from his career. Rangers would be getting a talented keeper who still has a lot of time ahead of him.
“As you see with Allan McGregor, he could have another 10 years or so left at the top.”
Glowing endoresement
It’s safe to say that Clark is on board with the move then, as he doesn’t have even the slightest bad word to say about the ex-England international likely arriving at Ibrox.
Despite Robby McCrorie’s strong end to the season when given a run in the first team it seems that Beale has always had his eye on signing a new number one, especially with Jon McLaughlin also possibly leaving.
Butland looks like he fits the bill , and while former England teammate Hart’s time across Glasgow might be factoring into his thinking he will need to be ready to outdo the Hoops man.
With Kieran Dowell and Dujon Sterling already wrapped up, and noises not going away over a deal to bring Jose Cifuentes from LAFC, Rangers are kicking off the summer in active fashion.
The transfer window hasn’t even opened yet but McGregor’s departure has been announced alongside four notable teammates in Scott Arfield, Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Filip Helander.
Two free transfers are on their way and more new signings seem to within touching distance.
Sorting out the goalkeeper is a vital consideration ahead of the new season, and if Butland’s deal can be pushed over the line his former manager Clark is certainly confident he can do the business.
In other Rangers news, the club are set to beat Premier League sides to another summer signing.