An update has emerged regarding Glasgow Rangers’ plans to bolster their goalkeeping department at Ibrox in the summer transfer window…
What’s the latest on George to Rangers?
According to Football Insider, the Light Blues are plotting a potential swoop to sign a shot-stopper from a fellow Premiership club at the end of the season.
The report claims that the Gers have extensively scouted Livingston’s Shamal George during the 2022/23 campaign so far and have been impressed by his performances between the sticks.
It is stated that funds have been set aside for Michael Beale to add to his options in that area of the pitch after the Light Blues’ manager confirmed that he already has targets in mind heading into the summer.
Could he be an upgrade on Allan McGregor for Rangers?
Rangers number one Allan McGregor is out of contract at the end of the campaign and, at the age of 41, it could be the perfect opportunity for the club to offload the veteran by bringing in another goalkeeper as an upgrade on him.
The experienced Scotsman has started 15 matches in the Premiership this season and averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.77, saving 59% of shots on his goal.
This comes after he averaged a rating of 6.76 and saved 66% of shots on target against him in 29 top-flight outings last term, whilst the veteran also made four errors leading to either a shot or a goal.
George could come in as an upgrade on the former Hull ‘keeper based on his impressive form for Livingston. In the Premiership this season, the 25-year-old has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.87 and saved 68% of shots, without making a single error leading to a shot or goal for the opposition.
The former Liverpool stopper spent the previous two seasons with Colchester in League Two in England and saved at least 73% of shots in that time, whilst averaging a rating of at least 6.90 in both campaigns.
These statistics indicate that the Gers’ summer transfer target could offer more quality in his shot-stopping than McGregor and would not be as much of a liability in terms of committing errors which lead to opposition chances.
McGregor has also averaged 0.2 successful runouts per match over the last two seasons, whilst George has averaged 0.3 per game in the division this term. This suggests there is not a great deal of difference in their respective sweeping skills, which is why the latter’s shot-saving ability would make him a better option for Rangers.
Livingston boss David Martindale once claimed that the English colossus has “got everything”, and the statistics back that up as George has showcased his quality on a consistent basis in the Premiership. Therefore, he could be an upgrade between the sticks for Beale and Rangers.
