Rangers transfer news: Sky Sports pundit refuses to accept confirmed Jack Butland deal is Allan McGregor replacement
Jack Butland signing for Rangers is a “terrific acquisition” but he cannot be considered a substitute for the “irreplaceable” Allan McGregor, according to Kris Boyd.
The Light Blues confirmed on 6 June that the former Crystal Palace keeper had signed a pre-contract and would be joining on 1 July, making him the third new arrival of the summer as Michael Beale overhauls his squad and replaces outgoing veterans.
One of those is 41-year-old McGregor, who passed 500 appearances for Rangers in his final season at Ibrox, and despite Boyd being delighted by the capture of Butland, 30, he says there is no comparison.
The Sky Sports pundit said in his Scottish Sun column: “Butland is a terrific acquisition. But I’m not buying the fact he is a replacement for Allan McGregor. Greegsy has proved time and time again that he is irreplaceable.
“Butland is the new No 1 who will take control of the jersey. However, McGregor and former Ibrox legend Andy Goram were just simply in a class of their own.
“Still, Butland has a terrific pedigree, he’s an England international — albeit his career has maybe not hit the heights it should have. What’s not in doubt is that he is an outstanding keeper and he has the chance to create his own legacy at Ibrox.
“I’ve always been a believer that the main striker is the most important position on a football pitch. But, the goalkeeper is a close second and you need to get that role correct.”
Big shoes
Clearly, a man with no Rangers history who has yet to play a game for the club can not compare to one who has completed five centuries in appearances.
Gianluigi Buffon could turn up at Ibrox and wouldn’t be the Light Blues legend that McGregor departs as, but everyone has to start somewhere.
Butland still has something to prove after his career has fizzled out somewhat in recent seasons, when he was so highly-rated earlier in his career.
But at his age he still has plenty of years left at his position, and while he will want to focus on his own game at Ibrox it is impossible not to look across Glasgow at the revival that fellow former England international Joe Hart has experienced at Celtic.
If Butland can be to the Beale reign what the former Manchester City star was to the now-concluded Ange Postecoglou era then it should go long way to turning the tide in the SPFL.
The Rangers boss has got off to a fast start with his summer transfer business, and the new keeper is currently the headline arrival, but there is plenty more that needs doing before he can be confident in taking advantage of the uncertainty at Parkhead in the form of a real title charge.
In other Rangers news, there is confidence that another incoming Ibrox deal is completed “very soon” after personal terms were agreed.