Rangers 'closing in' on Jack Butland deal with midfielder also linked

Michael Beale is looking to strengthen his squad ahead of next season

Published 25th Apr 2023

Rangers boss Michael Beale looks to be closing in goalkeeper Jack Butland as his first summer signing.

The Ibrox boss is keen to strengthen his squad ahead of next season as they aim to cut the gap on city rivals Celtic.

The Scottish Sun report Butland has been lined up as their new number one for next season.

He is currently on loan at Manchester United from Crystal Palace - but his contract with the Eagles expires this summer.

Butland would be a replacement for Allan McGregor with the veteran goalkeeper likely to retire this summer.

The 30-year old started his career at Birmingham City and has been capped nine times by England.

Ibrox boss Beale said last week he had already held talks with targets ahead of the summer window.

The Mail are reporting Norwich City midfielder Kieran Dowell is also on their radar.

The 25-year old is out of contract this summer with Beale hoping to lure him north of the border on a free transfer.

Dowell came through the ranks at Everton before moving to the Canaries in 2020.

He has made 23 Championship appearances this campaign - scoring five goals and providing three assists.

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Rangers Legends

Ally McCoist

Ally McCoist is the clubs' record goal scorer, landing 355 goals in his 581 appearances. He played for the club from 1983-1998. McCoist also won two back-to-back European Golden Shoe's, in 1991/92 and 1992/93. While playing for Rangers, McCoist won 20 trophies.
The club legend managed the side from 2011-2015, where he won a League One title and a Third division title.

John Greig

Often called 'the greatest Ranger', Greig holds the record for the most appearances made for the side. He made 755 appearances between 1961-1978, where he also scored 120 goals and won 16 trophies.

Sandy Jardine

Right back Sandy Jardine made 674 appearances for Rangers and scored 77 goals. Jardine won two domestic trebles in 1975/76 and 1977/78. Jardine won 14 trophies at Rangers, including their only European trophy.

Davie Cooper

Davie Cooper made 540 appearances for Rangers where he scored 75 goals. He won 13 trophies while at the club.

Bill Struth

Bill Struth was the second manager of Rangers Football Club, and lead the club for 34 years between 1920 and 1954. Struth won a record 18 Scottish league championships, 10 Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups.

Walter Smith

Smith managed Rangers from 1991-1998, where he won 13 major trophies in seven years, including seven league titles in succession. He returned to Rangers in January 2007, where we went on to win eight trophies during his second spell as Rangers manager and guided the team to the 2008 UEFA Cup Final. This would be Walter Smith's final managerial job as he retired in 2011.

Brain Laudrup

Brian Laudrup won three consecutive league titles for rangers between 1994 and 1998. He scored 44 goals in his 150 appearances.

Paul Gascoigne

Paul Gascoigne played for Rangers from 1995-1998, where he won two consecutive titles and two doubles. Gazza scored 39 goals in his 103 appearances.

Richard Gough

Richard Gough played for Rangers from 1987-1998 where he won 18 trophies, including nine consecutive Scottish Premier Division titles. The right back made 244 appearances and scored 37 goals.

Moses McNeil

Alongside William McBeath, Peter Campbell and his brother, Peter McNeil, Moses McNeil is one of the founding members of Rangers Football Club. In May 1872, Rangers played their first ever match against Callander F.C. at Glasgow Green's Flesher's Haugh, which resulted in a 0–0 draw.