- Pierce Charles offers superior distribution and composure under pressure, addressing a key weakness in Butland’s Rangers performances.
- Danny Rohl, who handed Charles his Sheffield Wednesday debut, could play a decisive role in any transfer deal.
- Manchester City show interest, as Wednesday look to extend his deal.
Rangers pursuit of a new No.1 has been complicated further after emerging developments around one of their primary targets, with the summer window now fully underway following the conclusion of the season.
The Ibrox side, having finished third in the Scottish Premiership after a turbulent campaign, have identified the goalkeeper market as a key area of reconstruction.
Jack Butland concerns rise amid blunder
Doubts over Jack Butland’s suitability as long-term first choice have only intensified in recent weeks. Particularly around his distribution under pressure.
Those concerns were underscored on the final day at Falkirk, where a miscontrolled backpass from Butland culminated in a calamitous own goal.
This was a moment that neatly encapsulated a season in which his use of the ball repeatedly came under scrutiny.
Against that backdrop, Rangers’ interest in Sheffield Wednesday’s highly-rated young stopper Pierce Charles had been well established.
Sheffield Wednesday look to extend Pierce Charles deal
However, according to The Wednesday Word, “Sheffield Wednesday have opened up talks with Charles about a new and improved contract.”
This comes as the recently relegated Championship side look to fend off growing interest in their goalkeeper.
WW Writer Joe Crann added that the club are “eager to try and extend his stay” despite an expected summer exodus at Hillsborough.
This comes following a disastrous campaign that ended with relegation on zero points after a deduction.
Charles, who emerged as one of the few bright spots in a difficult season, is understood to have attracted interest beyond Ibrox.
With both Ligue 1 club Strasbourg and Manchester City both monitoring his situation.
Man City ‘monitoring’ Pierce Charles
The Sky Blues, in particular, are reportedly considering a move as they plan for a potential reshuffle involving James Trafford.
The England keeper is now expected to leave the Etihad after spending a year as second-choice.
The Northern Ireland international has been praised for his composure and, crucially, his distribution.
This is an area where Butland has struggled throughout the campaign.
The former Man Utd stopper often failing to play through pressure and instead surrendering possession in dangerous areas.
20-year-old Charles is viewed as far more progressive with the ball at his feet.
He has even been called “better than some midfielders” with his passing.
These are traits increasingly valued in a system still seeking consistency and control from the back.
The Owls, meanwhile, are attempting to reset following relegation, offering improved terms to a player still entering the final year of his contract.
Yet with interest mounting and elite clubs circling, the likelihood of a straightforward resolution appears slim.
Readrangers.com analysis – Jack Cranmer
If Rangers are serious about modernising their goalkeeping department, Charles looks less like a development gamble and more like a structural upgrade in waiting.
The stopper’s appeal goes beyond shot-stopping. It is his composure and distribution under pressure that stand in stark contrast to the issues that have dogged Butland throughout his Rangers spell.
In a side still struggling to establish control from the back under Rohl’s tactical vision.
That has been a real hamper.
The German boss is a former Wednesday manager and he is the coach who gave him his senior debut at Hillsborough.
Rohl trusting him in a turbulent environment when others might have defaulted to experience.
Butland’s season has been defined by inconsistency with the ball at his feet.
With errors increasingly compounding the perception that he is better suited to a reactive rather than progressive system.
Charles, by contrast, profiles as a proactive No.1, comfortable receiving under pressure, quicker in release, and more aligned to a side trying to push higher up the pitch.
He will also be boosted with new Gers signing Lawrence Shankland available for longer passes up the park.
The move remains in it’s infancy.
But if Rangers are serious about a new and clear tactical style, they need to move for Charles.
Before one of the big boys snap him up.
