In a recent report, The Daily Mail revealed that Rangers are close to landing Crystal Palace custodian Jack Butland who is currently playing on loan at Manchester United. It is understood that the Gers are set to sign the English keeper on a free transfer at the end of this campaign as the veteran goalie has lowered his wage demands allowing the Scottish giants to get the deal done.
Butland’s Experience In English Football
The 30-year-old is yet to make an appearance for the Red Devils after joining them on loan from Crystal Palace in the January transfer window. However, Butland has got a wealth of experience in English football under his belt.
The Bristol-born talent has made 87 appearances in the Premier League, conceding 130 goals and securing 21 clean sheets in the process. Butland has got even more experience in the EFL Championship where he has been involved in 161 matches so far, shipping 227 goals and keeping 44 clean sheets.
Butland is under contract at his parent club Crystal Palace until the end of this season. Thus, it makes sense for Rangers to offer him a chance to shine at the Ibrox this summer on a free.
Is Butland A Good Choice For Rangers?
Butland can be a safe pair of hands in between the sticks when he is playing at the top of his game. He has got decent reflexes that allow him to make some solid saves at the back. The English talent is a good handler of the ball as well but needs to find a way to improve his ball distribution.
At the moment, Rangers can definitely use someone with Butland’s skillset and experience to bolster their squad for next season. It is quite likely that Allan McGregor will hang up his playing boots at the end of this campaign.
With Jon McLaughlin set to depart from Ibrox Stadium and Ross McCrorie still too inexperienced to lead a title charge, it makes sense for Michael Beale to opt for a keeper like Butland.
At 30, the English goalie might still have a few good years left in him to play at his best and could be an ideal choice for the Gers to pursue when he becomes a free agent later this summer.
