Barry Ferguson backs Jack Butland for Ibrox exit as ‘Stunning’ Rangers transfer news emerges
Barry Ferguson has suggested that Rangers signing Liam Kelly could open the door for Jack Butland to leave Ibrox this summer.
The 28-year-old shotstopper is close to a “stunning” return to Ibrox after his contract with Motherwell expires according to reports, with both Jon McLaughlin and Robby McCrorie expected to leave this summer.
But Butland is also open to leaving Ibrox according to reports, and while speaking on GoRadio (22 May) former captain Ferguson suggested that the move could open the door for an exit as “every player has his price”, although he did also admit Butland would only move on for a number one spot somewhere else.
“Well it looks that way [that he will be joining]. I will be honest I don’t know,” he said.
“He came through the youth ranks then went to Livingston, another club [QPR] and then Motherwell. He’s been captain but what does that tell you? Does that tell you maybe Jack Butland has interest in him? I wouldn’t be surprised if Jack has interest because of the way he has played.”
Host Andy Walker then suggested that the signing of Kelly makes sense from a business point of view on a free transfer with low wages, but Ferguson shared his worries with the deal.
“The worry is you are going to lose your best player at this moment in time,” he said.
“Every player has a price on their head. Rangers got Jack on a free transfer – obviously a big salary – but I am sure there will be Premier League clubs looking at him as their number one. I can’t see him going anywhere else unless he is going to be number one.
“He had a couple of seasons where he never played much at Crystal Palace and went on loan to Manchester United. This is the first real season he’s played the vast majority of games. I am sure that is a concern for the Rangers supporters that they could be losing a player of the quality of Jack Butland.”
Liam Kelly deal has no bearing on Jack Butland Rangers future
Rangers need to sign a goalkeeper this summer, regardless of what happens with Butland because McCrorie and McLaughlin are both expected to move on.
Kelly is a player with great experience, who has captained Motherwell and came through the academy at Auchenhowie so knows the club and the standards the fans demand well.
He would know he isn’t going to be number one while Butland is there, but if the Englishman were to be tempted away from Glasgow then the hope would be someone better would come in than Kelly.
Arnaud Bodart has been linked previously by Belgian media and could be an option, so if he were to come in then fans can start to worry.
But for now, Butland is very much staying at Ibrox if Kelly is the only addition on that goalkeeper area and Ferguson is just being a bit paranoid.
In other Rangers news, Fabrizio Romano has shared that the first signing of the summer is en route for a medical.
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