Is the time now right for Rangers to sign free agent most expensive British keeper? Could Craig Gordon be the solution to the goalkeeper shortage at Ibrox? Rangers have made the first step toward reclaiming their place along the elite of Scottish football after winning the Scottish Third Division last campaign; with relative ease. Now the mission to make it two promotions on the bounce has started; including in the transfer market. This summer Ally McCoist and his team have moved to bring in some excellent acquisitions. They have brought in Jon Daly from Dundee United, former player Steven Smith arrives from the MLS while last season’s free-scoring Queen of the South striker Nicky Clark has also made the move. These players will all arrive when the clubs transfer embargo ends on September 1st but do not expect their transfer business to be over. The club have also confirmed the signing of one-cap Scotland international goalkeeper Cammy Bell from Kilmarnock. A goalkeeper was a necessary buy considering the retirement of Neil Alexander and lack of a recognised second-choice stopper. And with Bell now picking up an injury on their Highlands tour assistant boss Kenny McDowall admits that bringing in cover for the goalkeeping positions is a priority for the club. So is the time finally right to make a long rumoured move for former Hearts and Sunderland stopper Craig Gordon? The 30-year-old stopper has spent the past two seasons on the treatment table suffering with a rare condition affecting his patella tendon. But this summer he admits the injury is getting better and he might just be nearing a return to football. In his time off he has been doing his coaching badges and working at Dumbarton but he insists that he will only be returning to the game next season as a player; not a coach. And this summer he has reportedly been training with Rangers to stay in shape. While injury may have decimated his stock we must remember a few things about the Scotland international. When he made the switch to the Stadium of Light in 2007 he cost The Black Cats £9 million; meaning Gordon is still the most expensive British goalkeeper of all time. And who can forget that save against Bolton defender Zat Knight in 2010; voted the greatest save in the 20 years of the Premier League back in 2012. Considering his injury record Gordon could not begrudge an offer of a pay-as-you-play offer from Rangers and he would provide excellent cover for Bell; and what’s more give the 26-year-old some real competition for the first team slot. The worry will always of course be his fitness and if Rangers were to roll the dice on Gordon and fail they would be left with just Bell as the only recognised stopper in the side; and for that reason I do not personally think it will happen. A more reliable option is likely to be sought; most probably from the lower divisions in Scotland. But despite my belief on the matter eventually the time is going to come when somebody has to give Gordon a chance; so could it be Rangers?
Posted on: Thu, 11 Jul 2013 10:26:14 +0000
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