Being a Rangers goalkeeper is as much about presence as it is about ability. For 89 minutes they can do little other than collect wayward through balls and take goal kicks only to then have to make a stop to save points in the dying minutes. Allan McGregor has long been a master of this.
Of all the targets that have been suggested as possible replacements for the hall of fame keeper, Jack Butland sticks out as the one most likely to handle the pressure of being at a big club and of understanding how important it is to be focussed from the first to the last whistle.
Currently, at Manchester Unitd as a backup to David de Gea, Butland has played for the best part of a decade between England’s top two leagues, not only that, but with nine international caps, he has shown that he can be an elite stopper on his day.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, transfer specialist Dean Jones has backed Butland to be a success should Rangers decide to target the out of contract 30-year old in the summer:
“There are plenty of good goalkeepers, but it’s about understanding what Rangers are as a football club and what it takes to thrive in that environment.
“I think Jack Butland is a fantastic person to have around the dressing room. He’s got big experience, too. I think he’d be a really good fit, particularly for Rangers next season, if they do go down that path.”
Butland would bring a wealth of experience to the dressing room and will be fully aware of the standards needed to be a top professional but there is another consideration that might make him the number one priority on Ross Wilson’s list.
With several areas needing upgrading and key players potentially leaving at the end of their contracts, our sporting director will have to be very creative with his budget, saving a few million on a new number one wouldn’t be a bad place to start, especially on one that is so low risk.