Ross Wilson’s capture of Michael Beale has been an excellent one so far for Glasgow Rangers.
The Ibrox side have yet to lose under the Englishman and with an Old Firm Cup final to look forward to on Sunday, the chance to claim a 28th League Cup triumph is very much achievable.
Despite the early improvements on the pitch, off the field, Beale has some work to do. Several first-team players are out of contract at the end of the season and he must be scratching his head over his goalkeeping conundrum.
Allan McGregor and Jon McLaughlin have shipped 53 goals between them this season and the Light Blues urgently require another goalkeeper ahead of next season.
What is the latest news on Rangers’ interest in Jack Butland?
The Gers have been linked with Jack Butland recently, having first shown interest last year and Journalist Pete O’Rourke believes he could be an improvement over the current options having discussed the player while recently speaking to Football FanCast, saying:
“Yeah, Jack Butland obviously at Manchester United on loan from Crystal Palace right now but he is a free agent this summer when his contract at Palace expires.
“If they could sign Jack Butland on a free transfer it would make a lot of sense for me because the goalkeeping department is something they are looking to improve on and they’re going to need a replacement for Allan McGregor right now.”
Is Butland better than Allan McGregor?
Butland hasn’t received any game time at United so far, however, his wealth of Premier League experience would make him an ideal option to replace McGregor.
He has made 87 appearances in the English top flight in his career, while playing 161 times in the Championship and he made 9 appearances for Palace last season, saving 57% of shots on his goal.
McGregor has been a wonderful player for the Light Blues throughout the years, yet his performances this term have been below par.
He has conceded 13 goals from 16 Premiership matches this term, keeping seven clean sheets but it was his performances in the Champions League that makes for grim reading, with the Scot conceding 18 goals at a rate of 3.6 per game across just five matches, keeping zero clean sheets.
This summer should see the 41-year-old depart the club and Butland should seriously be considered as heir to the Gers legend.
The “unreal” titan – as so dubbed by Talk Norwich City’s Jack Reeve – is currently earning £35k-per-week at Palace and it shouldn’t take much for Beale to persuade him to join Rangers, where the chance to win trophies and play European football are the two key selling points.
It will be the end of an era when McGregor leaves the club, however, this season has perhaps been one campaign too far.
