Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd believes Jack Butland ‘wanted’ to move to Ibrox in the summer of 2022 as rumours swirl surrounding Crystal Palace’s Manchester United loanee ahead of the transfer window.
To put it simply, Rangers cannot afford to keep putting off their pursuit of a new number one.
Allan McGregor turned 41 in January. And while the veteran shot-stopper is still capable of producing virtuoso performances even at his advancing years, a replacement just has to be right at the top of Mick Beale’s summer wishlist if Rangers are to seriously consider closing the gap at the top of the Premiership table.
“There is focus on the goalkeeping position,” Boyd tells the Scottish Sun. “Allan McGregor is still by far the best keeper at the club. But if you’d told him he’d be Rangers’ number one at 41, he would have laughed at you.
“Yet, there has been no forward planning for that position. It has been shambolic.”
Will Rangers sign Manchester United’s Jack Butland
McGregor’s contract expires in July, like that of Ryan Kent, Ryan Jack, Alfredo Morelos and Filip Helander. According to the Daily Record, Beale could also ship second choice ‘keeper Jon McLaughlin out the door.
Rangers, then, may be looking to bring in not just one new glovesman but two.
The Scottish Sun believe that Butland, the 30-year-old England international, is on ‘the brink’ of becoming Beale’s first summer signing. Butland is on loan at Man United from Crystal Palace but will also become a free agent in a matter of weeks.
Boyd, however, cannot understand why Rangers did not bring Butland to Ibrox almost 12 months ago.
“The deal to sign Jack Butland might get done this summer,” Boyd adds. “But why didn’t it happen 12 months ago? I know he was keen to come.”
Beale also has his sights set on a new winger, a new striker, a midfield partner for Nicolas Raskin and another left-sided centre-half.
