If a report from the Daily Record is believed to be true, Rangers are keeping close tabs on Zander Clark’s contract situation ahead of a potential summer move. The St Johnstone custodian will be a free agent by the end of the ongoing campaign and the Gers have identified him as Allan McGregor’s long-term replacement.
McGregor will be 40 in January and is likely to hang up his gloves upon the expiration of his Ibrox deal. The Light Blues would consider an array of options to succeed the iconic Scotsman and the emergence of Clark in recent years makes him one of the prime transfer targets despite the presence of Robbie McCrorie and Jon McLaughlin between the sticks.
Steven Gerrard has rotated McGregor and McLaughlin extensively for the ‘number 1’ role. While the latter is expected to grab the regular status from the next season onwards, the emergence of McCrorie should not be undermined either following a majestic derby display during the absence of both the veterans. He made some crucial saves in a massive 1-0 win against Celtic, whereas a successful loan stint at Livingston last season should see him being promoted as the first-choice eventually.
Why Rangers Have Made The Correct Call
This might raise questions about whether Clark would be a luxury recruit, but the Gers’ interest in the 29-year-old makes absolute sense given their intent of persistent improvement since Gerrard’s appointment as the Ibrox chief. The Liverpool legend has made a plethora of signings to transform the squad and he has done so quite successfully having conquered the coveted league crown earlier this year.
Clark, meanwhile, progressed through the youth ranks of the Saints before breaking into their senior side back in 2015. He soon secured a starting role in goal and his heroics in the Cups helped them complete a domestic double. The Scot assisted Chris Kane against Rangers in the closing seconds of the Scottish Cup quarter-final and this extra time equalizer earned him further fame as he stopped James Tavernier and Kemar Roofe’s spot-kicks to progress to the semis of the competition.
Although the keeper is yet to make his Scotland debut, the recent international call-up depicts how he has flourished of late at McDiarmid Park. Securing his services on Bosman would be another shrewd piece of business from the Glasgow giants as they have done the same on several occasions in the previous windows.
