The 2023/24 season isn’t even over yet – Rangers still have a Scottish Cup final with Old Firm rivals Celtic to come on Saturday – but the Glasgow giants’ transfer plans are already taking place.
No one could accuse Rangers of being slow to act heading into the summer window. The Ibrox giants are racing out of the blocks, lining up deals left, right and centre and seemingly closing in on a couple already.
Fabrizio Romano uttered those three magic words in midweek – Jefte Vital, Fluminense to Rangers, ‘here we go‘ – and it appears that Levski Sofia’s Jose Cordoba will further increase the number of left-footed defenders at Ibrox in a deal worth just north of £3 million.
Philippe Clement‘s team are reportedly leading the race to bring in Relebohile ‘Rele’ Mofokeng too. The Orlando Pirates midfielder, likened to Barcelona icon Andres Iniesta, is viewed as one of – if not the – brightest talent in South Africa.
But while Rangers’ early moves paints the picture of a club casting their net far and wide, that does not mean the Premiership runners-up will ignore those options closer to home.
Rangers in talks over Liam Kelly return
Sky Sports report that Rangers have opened talks to bring Glasgow-born goalkeeper Liam Kelly back to the club where he started his career as a younger. Six years after he left The Gers for first-team football at Livingston, the door for Kelly’s return swung open on Friday when Motherwell announced that their captain will leave Firhill when his contract expires in July.
“Liam Kelly will be departing this summer, after a tremendous three-and-a-half years at Motherwell,” says a grateful Stuart Kettlewell, paying tribute to an ‘outstanding’ shot-stopper who has made over 130 consecutive league appearances for ‘Well.
“He has been an excellent player to work with, who on top of performing on the pitch, has been a leader behind the scenes.”
Motherwell exit confirmed for goalkeeper
Kelly, still only 28 and part of Steve Clarke’s preliminary squad ahead of Euro 2024, is yet to have his potential role at Ibrox determined. It feels more likely than not that Kelly will be second-choice. Jon McLaughlin’s own contract is expiring, while Robby McCrorie wants more regular action amid interest from Aberdeen.
Legendary Rangers captain Barry Ferguson, however, cannot shake the fear that Kelly’s arrival would maybe pave the way for Player of the Year Jack Butland to return to the English Premier League.
“What does that tell you? Does that tell you maybe Jack Butland has interest in him? I wouldn’t be surprised if Jack has interest because of the way he has played,” Ferguson muses, via Go Radio.
“The worry is you are going to lose your best player at this moment in time. Every player has a price on their head. Rangers got Jack on a free transfer – obviously a big salary – but I am sure there will be Premier League clubs looking at him as their number one.
“I am sure that is a concern for the Rangers supporters that they could be losing a player of the quality of Jack Butland.”
