No sooner have Rangers been linked with a move for an experienced replacement for Allan McGregor in the shape of Asmir Begovic than a new one emerges about a stopper at the opposite end of his career.
James Trafford is an England Under-21 international who is currently under contract with Manchester City until 2027, unlike Asmir Begovic who is a free agent in the summer.
A report in The Daily Mail has claimed that we are interested in the 6ft 4inch keeper, on loan in League 1:
“Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, 20, who has impressed on loan at Bolton Wanderers, is attracting interest from Rangers.
”Trafford has been sent out on loan in the last two seasons by City, having spent the first half of last term at Accrington Stanley.
”He is now at Bolton, and has conceded just 19 goals in his 22 league appearances for the League One outfit, keeping 10 clean sheets.”
There are several age grade internationals in the Rangers academy but there is a big gap between the three senior keepers in terms of who is next to make the breakthrough. Robby McCrorie can no longer be classed as a youngster and should now be playing regular first team football, if he isn’t going to be trusted, he needs to move on for the sake of his own career, especially with the Scotland number one jersey up for grabs.
Trafford is obviously talented but it would be a big leap to go from Bolton to Rangers and the pressure that comes with it which means that he could be expected to play second fiddle for a season. Alternatively, his contract status also suggests that Man City wouldn’t let him go for cheap though and if we’re spending decent money, the plan might well be to throw him in at the deep end.
Whoever replaces McGregor is going to have big shoes to fill, and it could well be a player who was born after the Gers legend made his debut that is handed the gloves.
