On Monday afternoon, Rangers News’ James Black picked up on a change to the Rangers squad submission for Europa League Qualifying.
Jak Alnwick was withdrawn from the squad list and replaced by Andy Firth.
The seemingly only logical explanation for this is that Alnwick, the superior of the two ‘keepers, is close to a transfer away from Ibrox.
Naturally, the departure of a player has a knock-on effect on others in the squad.
In this case, it seems to give us a clearer understanding of Wes Foderingham’s future.
Foderingham remaining at Ibrox?
The 28-year-old is no.2 to Allan McGregor, but, a fine keeper in his own right. Therefore, he has been tipped with a move away from Glasgow this summer [Glasgow Evening Times]. He previously expressed that he sees himself as a first choice stopper and won’t hang around on the bench forever [Sky Sports].
Yet, if Alwnick is heading for the exit door, it suggests Fods is happy to stay put. Especially as another keeper, in Robby McCrorie, has just secured a six-month loan move to Queen of the South.
Those two departures would leave McGregor, Foderingham and Firth. 22-year-old Firth was only brought in last January, but there’s little suggestion that he’s good enough to be Rangers’ no.2.
Perhaps Foderingham has been given assurances of some kind? Maybe Gerrard has told him that if he waits it out for one more season, McGregor will retire and he can reclaim the no.1 jersey.
Of course, that aspect of things is pure speculation.
We don’t think it’s a stretch to suggest, though, that if Alnwick moves on, Fods is likely to stay put.
Gerrard will want to cover himself for the coming season and unless he has another player lined up, there’s no way he would risk going from five ‘keepers to two in a matter of weeks.
