Rangers handed huge boost in Jack Butland pursuit with ‘clear’ message, Michael Beale must strike now
Rangers are already undergoing their expected summer shake-up, with manager Michael Beale making moves before the transfer window has even started.
The Gers boss has already convinced both Dujon Sterling and Kieran Dowell to move to Ibrox, but they will not be the last incomings by any stretch of the imagination.
The manager is seemingly working on plenty of other deals, one of which involves goalkeeper Jack Butland.
The Gers are now clear to sign the 30-year-old after Crystal Palace opted against extending his deal at Selhurst Park, according to The Sun’s Alan Nixon (4 June).
The fact that Butland would be arriving on a free transfer will certainly be playing a part in Beale’s pursuit, with the manager having already brought in Sterling and Dowell for free.
Free transfers were perhaps unavoidable at Ibrox this summer given how the likes of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos both left the club for nothing, when the Gers really should have dealt with their contract situations better to avoid such a scenario.
But Butland’s experience will be the main reason behind Beale’s targeting of the goalkeeper, with the 30-year-old boasting almost 100 Premier League appearances.
He also has nine England appearances to his name, and could even add to that tally if he were to hit the ground running at Ibrox.
Current Gers shot-stopper Robby McCrorie did a fine job in between the sticks in the final stages of the season, chosen by Beale to help finish the campaign strong amid the impending exit of Allan McGregor.
But having McCrorie alone isn’t enough, with Butland able to increase competition for places for the goalkeeper jersey, unless of course he comes in and immediately lands the number one spot, which would be the likely scenario.
Importantly, Beale definitely needs to act fast to land Butland’s signature, with the goalkeeper undoubtedly set to attract interest from elsewhere given his current situation.
In other Rangers news, one Gers player has been tipped to play in Spain, with his Dad backing the prospect of a move.