Jon McLaughlin has been brilliant for Rangers so far (Getty Images)
As per Football Insider (h/t Chronicle Live), Rangers are interested in signing Sunderland shot-stopper Jon McLaughlin in the summer.
McLaughlin, 32, played non-league football with both Harrogate Railways and Harrogate Town before signing for Bradford City in the summer of 2008. In six years with the Paraders, he made 144 appearances and also helped them get promoted to League One in his penultimate season.
However, he left the Bradford and joined Burton Albion in the summer of 2017. He made 138 appearances there, helping them get promoted to the Championship. He was impressive for whichever team he has played and also earned a call-up to the Scottish national squad in May 2018.
The following summer, Sunderland signed him on a free transfer and since then, he has been the first-choice goalkeeper for the Black Cats. He has also put in eye-catching displays in the last two seasons and has attracted interest from Blackburn Rovers, as per the report. Thus, Rangers should make a swift move for the Scotsman in the summer.
The Gers, meanwhile, have lost yet another league title to their rivals Celtic and are without a league title for the last 9 seasons. Steven Gerrard’s men have failed in their bid to stop Celtic’s dominance. And rangers are yet to win a title under the current boss.
Thus, it is time for the Gerrard to bring in reinforcements to add depth to the squad if they are to challenge for the title next season.
One key area the manager needs to address is the goalkeeping department. First-choice shot-stopper Allan McGregor has been brilliant throughout the campaign and has featured in all but two games for the Gers. In the process, he has conceded just 18 goals while managing to keep 14 clean sheets.
However, there is no proper backup for the Scotsman. Wes Foderingham has been released by the club and Jan Alnwick was allowed to join St. Mirren a few days back. And this has left the Gers with only one established goalkeeper in McGregor. Thus, they need to bring in goalkeeping reinforcements in the summer.
In that regard, signing McLaughlin would be a massive boost to the squad. The former Burton man has been in sensational form this season. In 32 league games this term, he has kept 11 clean sheets while conceding just 27 goals and is a wanted man.
He has made over 400 career appearances and could bring healthy competition to McGregor if he joins Rangers. The Gers could benefit from two in-form and experienced keeper for the next season.
Rangers are in dire need of shot-stoppers after the departure of Foderingham and Alnwick. And McLaughlin could be a valuable player for the team if he is able to continue with the fine form. Thus, they should lure the former Bradford City man to Ibrox in the summer.
