Philippe Clement is making changes at Rangers

Philippe Clement set for another new Rangers signing to replace exit-bound first team ace

George is a sportswriter and editor with degrees in Sports Journalism (MA) from the University of Brighton – and Politics (BSc) from the University of Southampton. Sport was his first love at a young age, although football tests that sometimes. Also particularly interested in the women’s game and the NFL.

Published on:

19 Jun 2024, 2:40 am

Liam Kelly's move to Rangers now only has "small details to be ironed out" before it can be completed, Four Lads Had a Dream reports.

The Gers outlet reported via Twitter on 18 June that the Motherwell keeper is now "close to completion" as he closes in on a return to Ibrox.

He is set to take Robby McCrorie's place in Philippe Clement's squad with last season's second choice expected to leave the club this summer.

The Gers have so far signed Jefte, Oscar Cortes and Clinton Nsiala since the campaign ended, with former Aberdeen midfielder Connor Barron also closing in on a deal [Sky Sports, 18 June].

Liam Kelly set for Rangers return to replace Robby McCrorie

Bringing Kelly back seems to make sense all round and would help prevent the long-awaited departure of McCrorie being too much of a blow.

The latter has turned down a contract extension at Ibrox and clearly needs to establish himself as a regular starter somewhere.

Assuming Jack Butland remains in Glasgow that won't be for the Light Blues since the Englishman is arguably the best player in Clement's squad.

The threat of major bids from the Premier League arriving makes it a tricky balancing act this summer, although Butland himself hasn't indicated he is looking to do anything but stay and according to Alan Nixon (28 May) a market in England has not developed so far.

Liam Kelly deal is close to completion

Just the small details to be ironed out, not done yet, but would return to challenge Jack Butland & replace Robbie McCrorie who is expected to leave in search of first team football

Kelly qualifies for home grown status for Europe pic.twitter.com/ZVARTfa23B
— Four Lads Had A Dream (@4ladshadadream) June 18, 2024

Keeping hold of Butland as the clear number one, and adding an able back up with extensive experience in the Scottish Premiership in Kelly, looks to be the ideal outcome this summer.

Jon McLaughlin has also left at the expiry of his contract, so there is scope for the club to promote another homegrown player into the first-team squad as third-choice, although Kieran Wright is in a very similar situation to McCrorie and has himself been tipped to leave [Rangers Review, 5 June].

In other Rangers news, the club has already identified the replacement for exit-linked captain James Tavernier.

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