Rangers: Billionaire-owned club wants to sign ‘huge success’
Jack Butland mooted to force Rangers exit in January as Birmingham City hunt deal for Ibrox success
Birmingham City want to sign Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland as Wayne Rooney’s first signing as manager of the club, according to The Sun.
The newspaper reported online (14 October) that Butland has been a “huge success” at Ibrox since his free summer move from Crystal Palace, but following Michael Beale’s departure, he has been questioning his future.
Birmingham City, owned by billionaire Tom Wagner [i News], recently appointed Rooney after his departure from DC United but will have to limit his initial Blues spending until high earners’ contracts expire next summer.
Untradeable
Rangers did little right this summer. While the rest of the new signings can hopefully prove their worth, one undeniable success of the Gers’ business was getting Butland.
The England international held his own in the Premier League for years, but he was wanting for minutes at Crystal Palace, despite featuring throughout the Eagles’ run to the FA Cup semi-final, and his loan to Manchester United was rewarded with no competitive minutes.
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A move to Ibrox felt perfect, and his great form for the club in the early stages of the season has saved Rangers’ blushes on multiple occasions.
The club should do everything in its power to ensure Butland remains. While the report claims Butland has been left “wondering” about his future, Birmingham City isn’t exactly a safe bet. After sacking John Eustace, despite the Blues sitting sixth in the English Championship table, Rooney’s arrival has felt like more of a PR move than an astute managerial appointment.
Nethertheless, as Rangers look to make the most of a poor start to the season under a new manager, they will need Butland’s quality more than ever. Birmingham may not have the financial pull to pay what the Gers would demand for their new signing, especially in January when replacements would be scarce.
Butland himself would have to be keen on the move, but a move to the English second-division does not seem like an unmissable opportunity, even with Rangers’ struggles.
