Celtic told to make controversial Rangers transfer raid for Jack Butland this summer
Celtic should attempt to sign Jack Butland from Rangers if the star man is going to leave Ibrox, says Alan Rough.
The former Scotland keeper told PLZ Soccer’s The Football Show on 13 May that the Englishman is the right man for Brendan Rodgers to look to as he seeks to replace Joe Hart this summer.
Celtic’s ex-Three Lions international is set to retire, while Rangers’ has been outstanding during his first season in Scotland but is expected to be subject to transfer offers this summer.
Rough said: “From a transfer point of view, I know it might be a wee bit controversial, but if Celtic were starting to build I’d get Jack Butland, if he’s available.”
A stunned Peter Martin replied: “You’d ask Celtic to go sign Jack Butland from Rangers?”
“If it was on,” Rough confirmed, “If they had an idea of that happening, if he’s going to leave or whatever. I would think that would be a good start.”
Martin responded: “Yeah… that’s slightly controversial Roughy. I had down in my notes and everything, I’d have thought the odds of Rangers selling Jack Butland to Celtic are a million to one, but it’s of that standard of goalkeeper because they’ve got to try and replace Joe Hart.”
Could Philippe Clement lose star Rangers keeper?
Butland’s importance to the team at Ibrox is such that his future is bound to be a primary concern throughout the transfer window.
Although the 31-year-old has suggested that he isn’t looking to go anywhere this summer he has already been subject to a bid from the Premier League when Nottingham Forest came calling in January and there are valid concerns that more big-money offers will be on the way soon.
If a big enough fee is put on the table Rangers will be forced to consider it when Philippe Clement has admitted major work is needed in the transfer market and Butland’s sale could feasibly fund a lot of it.
But no matter what was on offer from Celtic it is unthinkable that the Gers hierarchy could sell their best player to the other side of Glasgow.
Based on what the former Crystal Palace keeper has said about his time at Ibrox so far it seems very unlikely that he would consider such a move if it was available.
But if there is unrest among the fanbase currently in the wake of another Old Firm defeat which is surely sent the title back to Parkhead it would likely be seen as admitting defeat for the long-term to accept an offer for their star man.
Rangers will hope they can keep Butland from going anywhere, although it can’t be guaranteed, but the threat of losing him to the Hoops is surely out of the question.
In other Rangers news, the Light Blues are now in for a sought-after Scottish ace who is set to move.
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