Sometimes, all it takes is one domino to fall.
And, as Tottenham finally confirmed the signing of Premier League veteran Fraser Forster from Southampton, Spurs completed a deal that could have implications from London to Glasgow, via West Bromwich.
You see, Forster’s move to North London frees up Crystal Palace to finally announce the arrival of Sam Johnstone. Another deal, another domino.
Johnsone, like fellow England international Forster, is a free-agent this summer, turning down a new deal at West Brom in order to boost his hopes of featuring in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad.
The former Manchester United youngster was expected to join Tottenham before Fabio Paratici and co turned his focus to Forster. Johnstone will now put pen to paper at Selhurst Park instead and, in theory, ousting Vicente Guiata at Palace should be a more straightforward task than forcing long-serving skipper Hugo Lloris out of Antonio Conte’s starting XI.
Is Jack Butland set for Rangers as Tottenham sign Fraser Forster?
Guaita will stay put despite speaking openly about his desire to return to Valencia at some point in the near future. This means it is Jack Butland, rather than the experienced Spaniard, who will be feeling like something of an ‘odd one out’ under Patrick Vieira once Johnstone finally puts pen to paper.
Butland will have international ambitions of his own, of course. As such, the prospect of becoming Crystal Palace’s third-choice shot-stopper will not appeal all that much to a man who turned 29 in March.
Rangers, then, may be an opportunity too good to miss. According to The Sun, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Europa League finalists have Butland in their sights as they scour the market for a someone capable of stepping into Allan McGregor’s shoes – or should that be gloves? – at Ibrox.
Butland’s experience, character and sheer quality means Rangers can be hopeful that the former Stoke City man will make an impact similar to compatriot Joe Hart this side of the border.
‘A real professional’
“Jack is a real professional – a positive professional,” Vieira told London News Online. “He’s been frustrated by not playing, but he has never complained. He has kept working hard. And when forward players want to do extra finishing, he is always the first to put his hand up.
“He is a really good character in the dressing room.”
An England international needing a fresh start and a new challenge after falling out of favour in the Premier League; The similarities between Butland a pre-Hoops Hart are difficult ignore.
And, in a rather roundabout way, one of Hart’s Celtic Park predecessors might have just sparked a chain reaction that leads Butland to Glasgow.
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