Kenny Miller has named three crucial traits Allan McGregor's Rangers replacement will need - and Jack Butland 'fits the bill'.
The current Rangers No1, who is now 41, looks likely to retire at the end of the season with his contract up in the summer. Michael Beale is ready for a massive summer overhaul as he looks to challenge Celtic and Ange Postecoglou with a number of ins and outs to come in a crucial transfer window for the Ibrox boss.
Miller believes TWO statement signings are needed with a goalkeeper one of those positions. Butland is reported to be 'on the brink' of a move to Ibrox with his Crystal Palace deal entering the final weeks. He's currently on loan at Manchester United as David De Gea's deputy and a potential move north is one Miller would back.
Butland, 30, has picked up nine England caps in his career with Miller insisting that would not happen unless you are a 'top player'. He's also compared the deal to what Joe Hart has done for Celtic in his two seasons and with Butland that bit younger, he reckons that would be a real positive addition to kick off the era of change at his former club.
He wrote in his Daily Record column: "Michael [Beale] has been heavily linked with a move for Crystal Palace’s Jack Butland who is currently out on loan at Manchester United. That’s a move I’d be in favour of. Remember, Butland is a guy who made it into the England squad not so long ago.
"You’d be signing an international keeper with Premier League experience at Stoke City and Palace. When Allan McGregor retires – which looks increasingly likely to be at the end of this campaign – Rangers need a high-profile goalie to replace him.
"To come after McGregor, you need to have a name, a reputation, a presence. Because make no mistake, when he goes there will be a massive hole to fill in that Ibrox dressing-room.
"A big character has to come in and Butland fits the bill. He’s at a good age – he’s 30 years old – and you don’t get nine England caps if you’re not a top player. To compete in that sort of company, you must have real ability.
"Look at what Joe Hart has done for Celtic. Joe has a few more titles under his belt but it would be a similar type of signing. When Ange Postecoglou brought him in, Joe was out of the picture at Spurs and not playing games.
"He has found a home at Parkhead and been terrific for Celtic. But Butland is a few years younger than Joe, which would be a positive for Rangers.
"He’ll be hungry. Being 30 is young for a goalkeeper. He’ll be thinking that if he comes in and performs well for Rangers, maybe at Champions League level, he could still get a move back to the Premier League.
"It would be a good fit for Rangers – and it would be a good opportunity for Jack as well. As I say, it would be a statement signing from the club.
"And I think Michael has to make at least two in the summer. The goalkeeper is one and a centre-forward has to be another. Those are arguably the two most important bits of business for the Rangers manager."
READ NEXT:
- Gio van Bronckhorst on Rangers sacking 'hurt' as he talks jobs and his favoured next destination
- Amad Diallo 'set' for big Manchester United chance as post-Rangers form at Sunderland catches eye
- Barry Ferguson names Rangers 'imperative' as Michael Beale rebuild has legend 'genuinely excited'
