Michael Beale has dropped a surprising hint that Rangers are to go forward with four goalkeepers after stating new signing Jack Butland will compete against Robby McCrorie, Jon McLaughlin and Kieran Wright.

Speaking on the team’s first day back at Auchenhowie following preseason, Beale was optimistic, naturally, about the squad he is building, but the admission about Butland, mostly, was concerning because Rangers clearly cannot find a club to ship McLaughlin out to.

Despite sources confirming Rangers have told McLaughlin he has no future at Ibrox and isn’t in the club’s plans going forward, Rangers have been unable to find a buyer, and the 35-year-old returned to training like the rest of the players available.

The problem is McLaughlin still has a further year on his contract, and unless the club is willing to pay his deal off (they aren’t for now) or a miracle happens and a club takes interest in signing him at a similar wage to his current salary, Rangers will remain stuck with the ex-Sunderland goalkeeper, but even more tellingly, with four stoppers at the back.

It’s definitely not ideal, and the fact Beale named McLaughlin specifically was not the most reassuring sign for those who really want to see the back of him.

Butland will be number one, that is of little doubt, but while Robby McCrorie appears to be the new number two, the club just cannot quite shake off McLaughlin.

Yet another horrible Ross Wilson signing then further diabolical decision to extend him. And even worse call from Giovanni van Bronckhorst to install him as first choice, before even MORE ludicrous call from Michael Beale to stick by that and defend him in between the sticks.

We sense McLaughlin will be glued to Rangers till next summer, unfortunately.