Rangers have a goalkeeper problem. Jack Butland has the starting job but his distribution and decision-making have been shaky. Liam Kelly hasn’t forced his way into the lineup consistently. The club is looking for a younger option who could take over for the long haul. According to a report from Sky Sports cited by The Scottish Sun, they’ve zeroed in on Manchester United’s Radek Vitek.
The 22-year-old Czech has spent the last two seasons on loan. First at Blau-Weiß Linz in Austria, where he kept six clean sheets in 26 matches. Then at Bristol City in the Championship, where he played 41 games and helped the Robins finish mid-table. That’s not flashy but it’s solid. And at his size — he’s a big guy with a big frame and good command of his box — he fits the profile of a keeper who could handle the physicality of Scottish football.
But Rangers aren’t alone here. Hull City, fresh off promotion to the Premier League, are also interested. That complicates things. The Tigers have money now and they can offer Vitek a chance to play in England’s top flight. Rangers can offer European football and a chance to be the clear No. 1 sooner rather than later. It’s not an obvious choice.
Butland could be heading the other way
Rangers are also in talks with Hull about a straight swap involving Butland and Croatian keeper Ivor Pandur. Pandur is valued around £10 million and was part of Croatia’s World Cup squad. But Butland’s price tag would bring that number down. It’s not a done deal though. Hull just made it to the Premier League and they might not want to part with a guy they see as part of their future.
Another name that’s come up is Sebastiano Desplanches, but he’s getting interest from Italian clubs and might stay in Serie A instead.
For Vitek, the situation at Manchester United is pretty clear. Senne Lammens has solidified the starting job after the Andre Onana experiment went sideways. Vitek would be a backup again if he stayed. At 22, with two good loan spells under his belt, he probably wants to play. That’s the smart move. Go somewhere you can start and grow.
Rangers have a history of getting good years out of keepers who weren’t stars elsewhere. Allan McGregor came back twice. They got solid work out of Wes Foderingham. Butland was supposed to be that guy but it hasn’t clicked the way they hoped. Vitek is younger, cheaper, and has room to improve. It’s not a splashy signing but it could be the kind of move that stabilizes a position that’s been a problem for longer than the club wants to admit.
The question is whether he picks Ibrox over the Premier League. That’s going to come down to playing time and trust. Rangers can offer both. Whether that’s enough remains to be seen.
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