Freddie Woodman has responded to links with Scottish Premiership giants Rangers by insisting that he is loving life at Preston North End, speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph.
If you combined the respective ages of Allan McGregor and Jon McLaughlin, you’d be old enough to qualify for a free bus pass. McGregor, 41, is set to become a free-agent in the summer and, if Rangers are to really progress under Mick Beale, they cannot really afford to put off finding a long-term successor for much longer.
And this is where Woodman comes in.
16 years McGregor’s junior, the former Newcastle United glovesman is high on Rangers’ summer wishlist; the Scottish Sun reporting that the Glasgow were watching on as Woodman picked up his 14th clean sheet of an imperious season against Coventry City in midweek.
Rangers want Freddie Woodman as Allan McGregor successor
The chance to fight for silverware and play European – maybe even Champions League football – will almost certainly appeal to Woodman. But, in his first interview since those Rangers links emerged, the former Kilmarnock and Aberdeen loanee did not sound like a man rushing to leave Deepdale.
“I’ve settled so well. I’ve made some really good friends, and I love it,” Woodman smiles. “I love being part of the team and being part of the club.
“I couldn’t have asked for (my debut season at Preston) to go better in terms of that. I’m really enjoying it and hoping to keep improving in the team.”
The Sun believe that Preston are willing to cash in on Woodman this summer amid suggestions that £3.5 million may be enough to twist those Lilywhite arms. Rangers, who are targeting Norwich City’s Angus Gunn, could face Premier League competition from Leeds United and Leicester City.
Preston coach Ryan Lowe, however, clearly values Woodman well in excess of £3.5 million.
“They can give us £20m for him if they want,” Lowe tells Lancs Live. “I don’t know what he’s worth, but we know he’s a top, top ‘keeper. If he continues to get those clean sheets, then that’s what will happen; there will be talks of clubs and interest in him.”
“We knew when we were signing Fred that he was a good goalkeeper. He just needs to continue that good form,” adds the former Plymouth Argyle boss.
“Everyone has dips and Fred had a dip a few weeks ago and he wasn’t quite happy with the performances. But now he’s back to collecting clean sheets. If he can get another six, then that’s 20 clean sheets he’ll have had. Wow.
“We’ll help him get that.”
