Rangers encouraged to pursue “unbelievable” talent as a significant upgrade on Liam Kelly – opinion

Glasgow Rangers suffered another setback in the Scottish Premiership title race after a 3-3 draw against Hibernian on Sunday, leaving them further adrift of rivals Celtic.

 

Despite taking 2-0 and 3-2 leads, the Gers walked away from Easter Road with just one point.

 

The result widened their gap from Celtic to 16 points in the standings.

 

A hat-trick from Hamza Igamane was not enough to secure victory for Rangers, as a costly mistake by their goalkeeper contributed to the draw.

 

Liam Kelly’s error for Hibernian’s third goal drew heavy criticism.

 

During a corner, Kelly came off his line but failed to make contact with the ball, leaving Rocky Bushiri with a clear opportunity to head into an open net.

The blunder has prompted calls for Rangers to strengthen their goalkeeping options.

 

Rangers Urged to Pursue Premier League Goalkeeper

 

English Football League pundit Don Goodman has suggested that Rangers consider signing Wolverhampton Wanderers’ second-choice goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

 

Currently behind José Sá in Wolves’ hierarchy under manager Vítor Pereira, Johnstone could provide a solution to Rangers’ goalkeeping concerns.

 

Jack Butland, Rangers’ first-choice goalkeeper, is sidelined indefinitely due to significant internal bleeding in his leg.

 

This leaves Kelly as the current starter, a situation that Goodman believes warrants immediate attention in the transfer market. Speaking to Plejmo, as relayed by the Daily Record, Goodman said:

 

“Sam Johnstone moving to Rangers could be a move that suits all parties.

 

Rangers have to evaluate their options after Jack Butland’s injury.

 

While a permanent move may depend on the price, a loan could be feasible if Johnstone is open to moving to Scotland.”

 

Johnstone, signed by Wolves for £10 million last summer, has made only seven Premier League appearances this season.

 

A loan move to Ibrox could offer him regular playing time while addressing Rangers’ pressing need for a reliable goalkeeper.

 

Why Rangers Should Sign Sam Johnstone

 

Kelly’s struggles were evident during the Hibernian game, particularly in dealing with set-pieces and crosses.

 

Moments before the third goal, Kelly completely missed the ball while attempting to clear a corner, although it didn’t lead to a goal at the time.

 

Kelly’s aerial duel statistics are also concerning.

Across three Premiership appearances this season, he has lost 50% of his aerial battles, highlighting his difficulty in handling high-pressure situations.

 

In contrast, Johnstone’s record in the Premier League this season underscores his reliability in such scenarios.

 

The Wolves goalkeeper has won 100% of his aerial duels in the current campaign and has consistently achieved a success rate of over 67% in aerial battles throughout his career in England’s top flight.

 

Johnstone has also demonstrated composure and accuracy with the ball.

 

He has completed 63% of his passes this season, showcasing his ability to play out from the back under pressure—a key skill for modern goalkeepers.

 

Comparatively, Kelly’s struggles in this area further emphasize the need for an upgrade.

 

Gary Lineker once described one of Johnstone’s saves as “unbelievable,” a testament to his quality.

 

Bringing in the England international on loan could provide Rangers with a significant boost.

 

His proven ability to handle set-pieces, coupled with his experience in top-flight football, makes him an ideal short-term solution for manager Philippe Clement.

 

Convincing Wolves to loan Johnstone to Rangers for the remainder of the season would not only address their immediate issues in goal but also potentially stabilize their defensive performances.

 

Given Kelly’s recent struggles, Goodman’s advice to pursue Johnstone appears both practical and timely.