The 3 goalkeeping options facing Rangers as Russell Martin can stick, twist or clear the decks

Daily Record

19 hours ago

Jack Butland faced flak last season and was even dropped so is he the man to help lead the 49ers' revolution?
New Rangers boss Russell Martin's to-do list is as long as his arm.
And when it comes to overhauling his squad - one of his first big decisions will be on who's best at using their hands.
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Martin is already starting to assess players who are already on the books at Ibrox.
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And when any new gaffer takes over a team, they invariably start at the back.
There are very few successful sides who don't have a top shotstopper as their number one.
And this summer at Rangers, it's definitely up for debate as to who will fill that jersey.
The pool of players at Ibrox needs revamped after yet another dismal campaign where they played second fiddle to Old Firm rivals Celtic.
Martin will want a new centre-back, a central midfielder, a full-back, a winger and a striker.
That will be the MINIMUM requirement. But before all of that, they'll have to make a choice when it comes to their keeper.
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And there will be three options available to him. Here, Record Sport examines each of them.
1. Keep Jack Butland as number one
The very thought of the Englishman NOT being between the sticks for Rangers a year ago would have sent a shiver down the spine of supporters.
But after a campaign littered with individual errors, it's a genuine question as to whether he starts under a new gaffer as first-choice.
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Butland was a revelation when he arrived in Glasgow.
In Clement's first season, when Rangers were top of the Premiership and challenging for the title, he was the best keeper in the country.
Butland looked like a ready-made Rangers player, on and off the pitch.
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Supporters chanted his name every week and he won all of the club's Player of the Year awards.
Fans were actually fearing a monster bid of more than £10million might result in them losing him to the Premier League.
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But the 32-year-old dropped his level this term and it cost his side goals.
High-profile mistakes in games against Motherwell, St Mirren, Dundee and Hibs contributed to Rangers dropping points - and ultimately failing to put up a serious fight against Celtic.
Butland was eventually dropped by interim gaffer Barry Ferguson for a vital Europa League tie against Athletic Bilbao - despite his penalty shoot-out heroics in the previous round against Fenerbahce.
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Liam Kelly was brought in and didn't let the side down. Butland's deputy provided a safe pair of hands when Rangers needed it.
But he was reinstated by Ferguson for the last two games of the campaign and it looked like his confidence was back.
The big question is though, will he still be in command of the position when a new gaffer is appointed?
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2: Make Liam Kelly number one
At 29 years old, Kelly is approaching the peak years of his career where he should be vying to be first-pick for club and country.
He had to be patient at Rangers after making his return to Ibrox last summer, as understudy to Butland.
The move might even have cost him a Scotland spot as, having switched from being Motherwell's number one, he was only a Gers' back-up.
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But Kelly finally got his chance last season after a series of Butland mistakes led to Rangers losing goals.
When Kelly was brought in by Ferguson to face Bilbao, he performed superbly, saving a penalty from the Spaniards which kept Gers in the game.
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He also looked steady in the Premiership towards the end of the season, especially against Celtic at Ibrox where he made important stops in a 1-1 draw.
Kelly - who is an outstanding shot-stopper - has never let anyone down in a Rangers shirt.
He's terrific - probably more adept than Butland - with the ball at his feet, which might be crucial to an Ancelotti or Martin coming in as gaffer.
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He only has a year left on his contract and will already be thinking about his future.
For the sake of his career, he has to play first-team games but if Butland remains at Gers, he faces another season on the sidelines.
If not? He might just get the shot he craves as the club's undisputed number one.
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3: Sign a new Rangers number one
It will be up to Butland and Kelly to make an impact in front of their new manager when pre-season starts on June 23.
But the danger for both men is that a gaffer, with fresh ideas and cash to spend, might want to bring in his own keeper.
Martin might like specific attributes in a goalie that he feels Butland and Kelly lack.
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If that's the case, it's a problem for Rangers because what do they do with the two shotstoppers who are already there?
Butland is an established member of the squad and one of the Ibrox high earners.
He's captained the club and is part of their dressing-room leadership group. He also has two years left on his contract so he'd be an expensive sub if he's left kicking his heels on the bench.
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Rangers would need to look to sell Butland if he's not going to be number one. But after a well below-par season, that might not be easy.
Kelly only has 12 months left to run on his deal but if he's kept on, he could potentially be THIRD choice if a new man comes in.
If that happens, speculation will begin around potential targets.
If it's experience they're after, could they tempt Martin Dubravka to Ibrox from Newcastle? Oh, or Asmir Begovic has just been released by Everton. Or Jason Steele from Brighton?
Whatever happens, the new manager will have huge decisions to make - and choosing a goalkeeper will be one of them.