Rangers’ pursuit of a new goalkeeper has led them to the Eredivisie with the Scottish Premiership giants scouting Hellas Verona’s Fortuna Sittard loanee Ivor Pandur on Sunday.
That is according to the Daily Mail; Mick Beale and co casting their net far and wide in pursuit of a potential new number one.
Robby McCrorie has done his hopes of claiming the jersey no harm at all in recent weeks, impressing once again during the 3-0 Old Firm hammering of Celtic while showcasing a commanding, proactive streak that could suit Beale’s preference for controlling the game.
With Jon McLaughlin likely to follow 41-year-old Allan McGregor out the door, however, Rangers will still need to bring a goalkeeper to Ibrox even if McCrorie does secure himself a place in Beale’s future plans.
Rangers want a new goalkeeper
Preston boss Ryan Lowe has all-but ruled out the prospect of Freddie Woodman returning to Scotland. Norwich’s Angus Gunn, meanwhile, is most certainly too expensive at a rumoured £10 million.
Pandur, then, could fall into that Venn diagram of both available and affordable. Goldilock’s goalkeeper, if you will.
A 23-year-old former Croatia youth international; Pandur is owned by Serie A strugglers Hellas Verona. He is excepted to join Fortuna Sittard permanently following the expiry of his loan deal, however, and the Eredivisie outfit may jump at the opportunity to sell him on for an immediate profit.
“Ivor has developed fantastically this season,” Fortuna director Sjoerd Ars beams. “He is a top professional, works hard every day and always with a big smile.”
The Daily Mail say Rangers scouted Pandur during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat against PSV Eindhoven. He is unlikely to cost anywhere near the kinds of fees required to bring in Woodman or Gunn, and would command wages far cheaper than Jack Butland.
Pandur, meanwhile, may not arrive at Ibrox demanding first-team football, giving Beale the chance to rotate and chose between he and McCrorie as he sees fit.
Pandur was reportedly a target for Liverpool during his time at Croatian outfit HNK Rijeka.
