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Rangers completing a swoop for this proven 28-year-old star would strengthen a key position in the long run

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Why Rangers should complete a swoop for shot-stopper Vaclav Hladky

According to Daily Record, St. Mirren shot-stopper Vaclav Hladky has admitted that negotiations over a potential move to Rangers are underway, with the 28-year-old set to depart his current club on a free transfer next summer. 

Hladky, who joined St. Mirren from Czech giants Slovan Liberec in January 2019, played a key role for the Saints in the second half of the previous campaign and was instrumental in ensuring another season of top-flight football for the club with his penalty-shootout heroics against Dundee United in the relegation playoffs. 

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Vaclav Hladky was the relegation play-off hero for St. Mirren against Dundee United last season (Getty Images)

The 28-year-old former Czech Republic youth international was the subject of a £200,000 bid from Azerbaijani heavyweights Qarabag but he opted to stay put and has reiterated his goal of playing in the Premier League somewhere down the line. (h/t Daily Record)

Having turned down a contract extension at St. Mirren, Hladky has expressed his desire to try his luck in the EFL Championship next season with a view to using the English second-tier as a stepping stone for a move to the Premier League in the future. 

Despite question marks over his long-term future beyond the end of the ongoing campaign, the Czech shot-stopper has continued as the undisputed first-choice between the sticks for St. Mirren this term. 

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Hladky has already managed 4 clean sheets for the Saints in the Scottish Premiership this term (Getty Images)

Hladky has been one of the bright sparks in what has otherwise been a dreadful start to the Scottish Premiership campaign for Jim Goodwin’s men, with St. Miren currently placed rock-bottom of the standings. 

The 28-year-old has started each of the club’s first eleven league games between the sticks this term, managing an impressive tally of 4 clean sheets while shipping just 11 goals in the process. Those numbers certainly look spectacular on paper, considering how badly St. Mirren have struggled this season. 

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Credits: Getty Images

For Rangers, the 37-year-old McGregor has been the first-choice for Gerrard this season and the veteran is in line for a contract extension after turning back the clock with consistently impressive displays between the sticks. (h/t Glasgow Evening Times)

Foderingham, though, looks set for an exit on a free transfer at the end of his current contract, with the Daily Mail recently reporting DC United’s interest in securing his services next summer.

Jak Alnwick has excelled on loan at Blackpool this season but he has barely played a big role under Gerrard, while Andy Firth is not really in the mix at the moment. 

Hence, it is clear that Rangers need to bring in a quality shot-stopper as a long-term successor to Allan McGregor, and Vaclav Hladky looks like a decent option.

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Rangers have been linked with a move for the 28-year-old (Getty Images)

A tried and tested material at St. Mirren in the Scottish top-flight, the Czech star is in the right age bracket at 28 and his availability on a free transfer next summer should make it a no-brainer for Rangers to snap him up.

Verdict

Rangers are one of the most historically-decorated clubs, not only in Scotland but also in Europe. They should not hesitate to exercise their pulling power to convince the 28-year-old that a move to Ibrox would, indeed, be in the best interests of his career. 

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All in all, the Gers need to sort out their goalkeeping situation moving forward and someone like Vaclav Hladky could save them a fortune in the transfer window.