Transfer Centre

Rangers confirm fifth summer signing amid Jack Butland uncertainty

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 27 June 2024

Jack Butland rival or replacement? Rangers announce fifth summer signing

Rangers announce their fifth signing of the summer transfer window amid uncertainty over the futures of Jack Butland and Robby McCrorie.

Rangers have completed the signing of goalkeeper Liam Kelly on a two-year deal.

The 28-year-old will officially make his move to Ibrox on July 1 after his contract at fellow Scottish Premiership side Motherwell expires.

Kelly returns to Rangers where he began his career, spending nine years in their academy at Auchenhowie and a further three years in the first-team squad, but he never made a senior appearance for the club before leaving in 2018.

The shot-stopper has since enjoyed spells at Livingston, Queens Park Rangers and Motherwell, and now leaves the latter after making 154 appearances in all competitions over a three-year period.

Kelly, who was part of Scotland's squad at Euro 2024, becomes Philippe Clement's fifth signing of the summer transfer window after the arrivals of Jefte, Clinton Nsiala, Connor Barron and Oscar Cortes, while Mohamed Diomande has made his loan move permanent.

Welcome Back, @liamm_kelly 💙 pic.twitter.com/pu8QvfA49F
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) June 27, 2024

Kelly talks up "unbelievable" Rangers return

Speaking to Rangers' official website after completing his move to Ibrox, Kelly said: "It is unbelievable to be back at Rangers, when I left, I probably never thought I would be back, but I am so delighted to be here.

"I know the size of the club, I spent 14 years here, so it is a great feeling, and I am looking forward to the new challenge.

"You always have faith in your own ability that you can play at the top level and this club is the highest level. I am joining a really talented group of players and a really talented group of goalkeepers, so I am excited."

Clement added: "I am delighted we have been able to secure the signing of Liam. We have had some really positive conversations, and he is a goalkeeper with experience in Scotland and in the Scottish Premiership which will be valuable for our squad.

"Under Colin Stewart (goalkeeper coach), we have a really strong goalkeeping department, and the addition of Liam will only further strengthen that as we prepare for the 2024-25 season."

Rangers' Jack Butland applauds fans after the match on March 14, 2024 © Reuters

What does the future hold for Butland, McCrorie?

As things stand, Kelly is expected to provide competition for first-choice goalkeeper Jack Butland and number two Robby McCrorie, although that could change ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

Indeed, it is understood that McCrorie may look to seek pastures new this summer in search of regular first-team football, having played just seven senior games for Rangers across the last three seasons.

Butland, meanwhile, was a standout performer for the Gers last season, keeping 25 clean sheets in 58 appearances across all competitions, but his form is thought to have attracted interest from clubs in England.

The 31-year-old, who is believed to be valued by Rangers at around £15m, acknowledged in May that "there is always going to be talk" when you are performing well, but he insisted that he has no plans to force an exit from Ibrox.

Butland joined Rangers last summer from Crystal Palace following a brief loan spell at Manchester United and he still has three years remaining on his contract in Glasgow.