Rangers could rue missing out on a move for Sam Johnstone as Ross Wilson is challenged to find a long-term replacement for Hall of Fame legend Allan McGregor.
Sam Johnstone was linked with a transfer to Rangers because he had Premier League experience, had been capped by England and was available from West Brom on a free transfer after choosing to run his contract down.
The 30-year old opted for a return to the top flight with Crystal Palace but has only just made his first league appearance of the season, breaking a record on the way.
Johnstone made seven first-half saves against Leeds United at an expected goals rate of 1.87 against according to statistics website Squawka, the highest of any keeper this season.
So why didn’t Rangers sign Sam Johnstone?
Johnstone looks to have done enough to secure his place between the sticks for the rest of the season and, ironically, it may be that fellow Eagle Jack Butland that heads to Ibrox on a free transfer after his loan spell at Manchester United finishes at the end of the season.
The major stumbling block in the Johnstone deal could be the same one that sees Ross Wilson move on from Butland to another target though with the finances required to bring an England international to Ibrox never likely to be cheap.
Writing on his Twitter page, Heart and Hand’s David Edgar, in response to a fan questioning whether or not we looked at the 30-year old, revealed that money was the biggest issue in our attempts to tempt Johnstone to Glasgow, unsurprising when you see that Salary Sport is reporting that he is on £43,000 per week.
Replacing a Hall of Fame keeper and genuine Rangers legend in Allan McGregor is never going to be easy, but cutting corners and trying to save a penny or two shouldn’t be the priority.
Getting the right man for the job is.
