The Rangers manager, Steven Gerrard, could see all three of his Ibrox ‘keepers leave for free next summer.
Cameron Dawson is the latest goalkeeper in whom Steven Gerrard’s Rangers have been credited with an interest.
Rangers have all three of their senior shot-stoppers out of contract next summer – although Gerrard has already expressed a desire to extend Allan McGregor’s stay at Ibrox.
According to The Star, Rangers are one of the clubs whose radar Dawson is on ahead of the January transfer window.
But what should Gers fans know about the Sheffield Wednesday player?
HITC Sport takes a look, below…
Dawson is a product of Wednesday’s academy system…
He was born in Sheffield to a family of Owls fans, although he was a relative late-bloomer and didn’t join his boyhood club until he was 15. He had to wait six more years before he made his debut at Hillsborough, following loan spells at Plymouth, Alfreton and Wycombe.
And was highly-rated by club and country…
Dawson won caps for England at under-18 and -19 levels.
(As well as Kevin Pressman…)
The legendary ex-Wednesday ‘keeper said, after Dawson was controversially promoted ahead of the more experienced Keiren Westwood last season: “I like the look of Cameron, personally, with my eyes as a goalkeeping coach and what I see is obviously not what everybody else sees. The supporters don’t see what I see, I see mistakes the supporters don’t see. They see the obvious ones. And for me, Cameron has got the jersey and rightly so.
“I would probably say at the moment, yes (Dawson does possess the greater commanding presence). I’m impressed with his mobility around the box. That’s the biggest thing for me. It’s alright having big, tall keepers that can’t move. He supports the back four well, it allows them to play a high line because they know he’s going to sweep. They’ve got confidence with him. His mobility and his movement around the box is good and I like that.”
So why is he no longer Wednesday’s number one?
Dawson’s first real, prolonged, spell in the side saw him produce several memorable moments – none more so than the penalty he saved to earn his side a draw in the Steel City derby at Bramall Lane. But as is perhaps to be expected for a goalkeeper of his inexperience, mistakes were made too.
When the manager who championed him, Jos Luhukay, was sacked in December, Westwood was one of several exiled players immediately restored by then Wednesday caretaker – and Scot – Lee Bullen.
“Ultimately, Cammy and Joe Wildsmith are going to be at this football club for years to come and will play hundreds of games,” explained Bullen.
But will they?
What’s his situation?
Dawson’s only action since then has come either in Westwood’s absence or the cups. And despite his affection for Wednesday, the 24-year-old may soon have to put his career first. His current contract expires next summer, although Rangers, as well as Preston, Derby and Blackburn, are said to be circling ahead of the January window. With the Owls longer entitled to compensation if Dawson leaves at the end of his deal, since he is older than 23, a winter sale may be considered.
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