Rangers can’t afford to let unsettled Robby McCrorie leave as Jack Butland tipped for Premier League transfer return
Robby McCrorie’s future at Rangers may not be over as soon as thought with Jack Butland already mooted to move back to the Premier League in upcoming transfer windows.
The Gers academy product, 25, finally got a brief run in the first team to end the season last term, and looked to have done enough to be in with a shout to the starting job once Allan McGregor retired.
But Michael Beale opted to go out and sign former England international Butland on a free transfer from Crystal Palace in the summer, with the move paying off as the 30-year-old has proven to be the stand out from the nine offseason recruits so far.
However, that success brings with it danger, with Chris Jack suggesting that the former Stoke City and Manchester United keeper is likely to be a target for top flight English sides as early as the end of the season.
The journalist told the Rangers Review (19 September) that while the club would be in line to make money on the deal they will likely soon face a “fight” to keep hold of him.
McCrorie looked like he could have been gone by now, with Erik ten Hag’s side joined by Hull City and Polish Champions Rakow Czestochowa in the hunt to sign the £1million-rated keeper during the transfer window.
Mail+ reported on 11 August that the Scot was “unsettled” at Ibrox having been relegated to number two by Butland’s arrival.
Clearly, Butland is the undisputed number one based on his performances since arrival at the club, suggesting McCrorie would be set for an exit sooner rather than later.
But in that case Beale, or his possible successor, could be left without either in less than a year if the Englishman keeps up his strong form and Jack’s forecast proves accurate.
It may now be more sensible to negotiate with McCrorie on the understanding that one or the other can leave at the end of the year, while giving him first-team appearances wherever it is feasible in the mean time, if they view him as suitable to ever be the starter.
Otherwise it will be back to the drawing board in a big way at the position, to let him walk in January potentially sell Butland just months later, especially with Jon McLaughlin, 36, presumably set to move on as well.
Michael Stewart criticised the club for a lack of “strategic thinking” with McCrorie a fortnight ago, but it is time to get out in front of this one and display some to avoid a needlessly difficult situation.
In other Rangers news, Beale has been accused of “messing” with one player’s “mind” with his recent handling of him.