Why no deal for Rangers keeper is correct with heir apparent ready to step-up
Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Rangers vs Celtic - Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Britain - September 23, 2017 Rangers' Wes Foderingham warms up before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
According to Football Insider, Rangers are set to open talks with back-up goalkeeper Wes Foderingham with the Englishman’s contract due to expire at the end of the season.
Foderingham has been at the Ibrox club since signing for Mark Warburton in the summer of 2015 but has found himself playing second fiddle since Allan McGregor returned to the club for a second spell.
At 28-years-old, Foderingham is almost ten years younger that McGregor which shows he still has plenty of years left in his career, the decision he has to make is whether or not he wants to spend the next couple as a back-up or move on and play first-team football.
He has made just six first team appearances since McGregor’s return and has not put a foot wrong when he has been called upon to deputise. The poor defence under Warburton left Foderingham exposed and it’s no surprise that he looks much more assured with a more competent set of defenders in front of him.
Foderingham played in the final Old Firm game of 2018/29 and kept a clean sheet which would’ve gone a long way in banishing the demons from the several hidings that he was on the end of and reminded everyone just how good a keeper he actually is.
Rangers have all four senior keepers out of contract at the end of this season with just Allan McGregor expected to extend his deal at the moment. Jak Alnwick and Andy Firth haven’t really done anything to suggest that they will be at Ibrox beyond the summer.
Currently, Rangers have two goalkeepers in the Scotland under 21 squad with Kieran Wright and Robbie McCrorie, the latter has been tipped as McGregor’s natural successor and has been in fine form on loan at Queen of the South. Next season may see him return to the club as deputy and to gain first-team experience for the Light Blues.
Who should replace McGregor in goals for Rangers?
The chances are, if Foderingham was going to be offered a new deal, it would’ve happened already, Rangers will probably look to cash-in in January or they will lose a decent asset for free in the summer. With McCrorie proving he can handle senior football, Steven Gerrard will be looking to continue his development next season under the watchful eye of McGregor before making the final step in his well-planned career path into the Rangers number one jersey.