As far as Ally McCoist is concerned, one of the players Mick Beale brought to Rangers last summer might just be ‘the club’s best signing in years’. 

When you consider that the Scottish Premiership challengers did not pay a penny to bring Jack Butland to Ibrox, his contract at Crystal Palace expiring after that loan spell at Manchester United, that only strengthens McCoist’s argument.

No goalkeeper in the top-flight has more than Butland’s 17 clean sheets. And without the 31-year-old’s lightning reflexes, it’s hard to imagine that Rangers would have finished top of their Europa League group either.

But, as impressive as the England international has been, the chances of Rangers being forced into the market for another shot-stopper during the upcoming summer window seem rather high. Jon McLaughlin’s contract is due to expire and the 36-year-old may not be handed a new one.

While McLaughlin may have been content with a back-up role, given his age, Robby McCrorie is obviously not.

Rangers may need another goalkeeper

“Obviously I want to be playing a lot more than I am,” McCrorie, still only 26 and his development impeded in a season in which he’s featured just once, admitted back in January.

Scotland boss Steve Clarke has already indicated that McCrorie may be better off looking for a fresh start away from Ibrox. The good news, however, is that a goalkeeper who was linked with Rangers in the recent past could be on the lookout for a new club too, his contract expiring and negotiations clearly not progressing as anyone would like.

“In January or February, Qarabag made an improved offer for a long-term contract extension, which did not suit us according to the terms,” Anton Smirnov, the agent of 32-year-old Russian international Andrey Lunev, tells RB Sport.

“Lunev received a salary lower than what he really deserved. We believe that Andrey has now proven his worth, is an important component of the club’s success this season and deserves a salary of the appropriate level.

“Moreover, from the offers that I receive for Andrey from various agents, we see other clubs assess his level several times higher than Qarabag. Andrey is 32 years old, he is in demand, plays at a high level and, it seems to us, has the right to a decent income.

“We respect Qarabag and are open to negotiations. But if Qarabag continues to behave this way and treat its player, who has made a serious contribution to the club’s success this season, we will seriously consider options for continuing his career in another club.”

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