JUST NOW : Rangers succession plan for Jack Butland criticised amid pursuit of……..
Derek Ferguson believes Rangers need to target a British-based goalkeeper if Jack Butland departs this summer.
According to Sudinfo Sports (10 April) the Light Blues are very interested in Standard Liege’s Arnaud Bodart, with the English Ibrox star potentially leaving the club at the end of the season.
The Belgian is tipped to cost around €4million [£3.42m] but ex-Gers midfielder Ferguson feels there are “far better” options in England and the club should continue their history of employing stand-out British keepers.
Butland has been outstanding since arriving on a free transfer from the Premier League last summer and has been credited with keeping the title race with Celtic alive.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News he said: “In my opinion I prefer British-based goalkeepers. We’ve got a history, obviously, when I was at Rangers Graeme Souness brought Chris Woods.
“England international, great guy, brilliant goalkeeper. I know Andy Goram’s Scottish but he was kind of half English half Scottish and what a keeper he was.
“I just think there’s a lot of top keepers kicking around down in England, not just in the Premier League but in the Championship as well.
Will Jack Butland leave Rangers this summer?
It is impossible to rule out anything in the transfer window at Ibrox and interest in Butland is virtually guaranteed after his performances for the club this term.
Hopes of the former Crystal Palace man staying for the long haul may have increased after his own comments this week, but if huge money was put on the table that may still change.
Back up Robby McCrorie seems likely to leave as well, and third-choice Jon McLaughlin is out of contract, so the pursuit of Bodart may be with a view to provide an able deputy for Butland.
But Ferguson is clear that Rangers should be returning to the same market they brought the 31-year-old in from rather than looking further afield.
In other Rangers news, a manager claims a player who has starred for him for two years is ready for an Ibrox move ahead of the summer transfer window.
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