As Rangers reportedly close in on a move for Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland, alleged contract details might have Robby McCrorie asking questions over his future.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed the deal to bring 30-year-old stopper Butland to Ibrox is done, with the Gers securing a four-year contract for the ex-England star.
Given the stopper’s Premier League pedigree – having just spent the season on loan at Manchester United – there’s no doubt Rangers are getting someone of substantial ability.
As the club look to place the chasm left by Allan McGregor, who is officially set to leave Ibrox, it is a positive step in the right direction for many.
But for others the move – which reportedly sees Jack Butland take a pay cut from his wages at Selhurst Park – threatens to hamper the development of Robby McCrorie.
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Don’t be fooled by headlines about Butland knocking back more money and the option of being a Premier League number two to move to Rangers.
The Ibrox side offer a unique chance of glory on domestic and European soil and, even if Butland isn’t making the funny money down south, he will still be rewarded handsomely in Glasgow.
Signing the stopper on a four-year contract is a statement of intent from Rangers and backs up Michael Beale’s belief in Butland.
But plenty will be wondering where it leaves McCrorie, who has impressed since coming into the team towards the end of the season.
While everything was said and done by the time McCrorie was given the gloves – much of it down to McGregor and McLaughlin floundering between the posts – the 25-year-old was an astute, focused and headstrong presence who showed shades of the kind of goalkeeper Rangers demand.
Will Robby McCrorie get his chance?
Butland might be one of English football’s most talented stoppers but the goalkeeper is not used to large spells, sometimes entire games, without even touching the ball.
To be a great Rangers goalkeeper, you don’t always need to make a lot of saves, but the ones you do have got to be great.
Rangers clearly have faith in Butland’s ability to step up but, if talk of a four-year contract is true, we suspect McCrorie might have his own career ambitions to look out for soon.
While a year as number two, battling it out for the jersey with a smattering of early round cup appearances, is probably healthy, by this time next year we will know where we stand with both.
And perhaps – as we all have this season – we will regret not putting our faith behind McCrorie sooner, should a lack of opportunities force him to move elsewhere.
With Butland reportedly set to get a four-year deal, the young Scotland hopeful could be 29 before his permanent Rangers chance comes again.