Reported Rangers transfer target Sam Johnstone made a costly error in a defeat for West Brom against Derby in the Championship on Monday.
Rangers were linked with Johnstone last week by TEAMtalk.
They reported that the Gers and several Premier League clubs including Tottenham, Newcastle and West Ham are interested in the former Man United goalkeeper.
That’s because his contract is running down and he’s been in excellent form in the English second-tier, keeping 11 clean sheets already this season as the Baggies eye a return to the top flight.
Rangers target with costly error
However, a blunder in the 58th minute against Derby on Monday night dealt a blow to the Birmingham club’s promotion hopes.
In an attempt to deal with an aimless ball over the top, Johnstone came out of his area and after a mixup with his teammate, headed the ball straight into the path of Colin Kazim-Richards, who calmly finished into an empty net from just outside the D.
It was an embarrassing moment for the 28-year-old, who could have simply retreated back into his area when it became clear that his teammate was going to get to the ball first.
The goal gifted to Derby, who are rooted to the bottom of the table following points deductions, was their only shot on target in the game and it would prove to be enough to give them all three points.
Rangers have been linked with Johnstone because as things stand, both Allan McGregor and Jon McLaughlin will be leaving the club in the summer.
However, given that he’s currently in the England setup, it seems unlikely that he would opt to move to Rangers over a Premier League club if several of them are genuinely interested.
That’s even though there’s European football and chances to compete for silverware on offer at Ibrox.
Meanwhile, another Rangers-linked player scored again on Monday as his excellent pre-January form continues.