Ex-Rangers man branded a 'huge bargain' following Ibrox exit as former target closes in on £10m transfer
The former Rangers goalkeeper has been backed to play a huge role for the English Premier League newcomers.
Former Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland has been labelled as a “massive bargain” and backed to be a huge success at Hull City following his £3million move to the MKM Stadium last week.
The experienced stopper brought down the curtain on his three-year stay at Ibrox earlier this month, signing a two-year contract with the newly promoted outfit as part of the deal that saw goalkeeper Ivor Pandur move in the opposite direction.
Butland, who played over 100 times for Rangers following his free transfer arrival from Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2023, will bring a wealth of top-flight experience to Sergej Jakirovic’s side as they look to fend off relegation and avoid an immediate return to the EFL Championship, and Sky Sports pundit and former England striker Kevin Phillips believes the Tigers have pulled off a major coup.
“33-years-old is nothing nowadays,” Phillips told BestBettingSites.co.uk. “For a goalkeeper, yes, they put a lot of strain on their body, but 33 years of age is nothing. Jack looks after himself. I know him. I played with him at Birmingham City. I think they've paid around £3million for him. I think it could be a massive bargain.
“He played every minute for Rangers last year. So that's going to help him. He's fit. I think it could be a really, really good signing for Hull. He's got that experience, and that's what you need when you're trying to stay in the Premier League. So, yeah, he’s a good signing.”
Meanwhile, former Rangers goalkeeping target Pierce Charles is set to finalise a move from Sheffield Wednesday to English Premier League giants Manchester City for an initial fee of £3million which could rise to £10million with add-ons. The 20-year-old stopper was strongly linked with a move to Ibrox in recent months, with former head coach Danny Rohl thought to be keen on reuniting with a player he managed during his 18-month stint as manager at Hillsborough.
Landed with an 18-point deduction due to financial mismanagement and regulatory breaches at the beginning of last season, Sheffield Wednesday were relegated to the third tier of English football in March, rendering Charles’ exit almost inevitable this summer, with the goalkeeper viewed as their prize asset.
However, Rangers' interest in the Northern Ireland international appeared to end following Rohl’s departure to Red Bull Salzburg last month, with new head coach Derek McInnes opting to pursue Pandur instead.
And now it appears that Charles will return to the Etihad Stadium, where he began his youth career prior to his move to Sheffield Wednesday. It is widely reported that the two clubs are close to finalising a deal, with the Cityzens expected to loan him out to EFL Championship club Queens Park Rangers, despite late interest from Wrexham.
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