Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Mon 6 April 2026 18:15, UK

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Pierce Charles’ outstanding performance for Sheffield Wednesday versus Leicester City should show Rangers that he is ready to make a move to Ibrox this summer.

Charles made 11 saves to earn already-relegated Wednesday a 1-1 draw at home to Leicester on Monday afternoon.

The 20-year-old pulled off some superb stops to keep his side in the game and continue his strong breakout campaign at Hillsborough.

He has already established himself as Northern Ireland’s number one too, with new reports over the last week linking Rangers with a move for his services this summer.

Rangers’ transfer plans are set to involve signing a new goalkeeper this summer, with Charles now surely near the top of their list following his fantastic performance.

Pierce Charles was the reason Wednesday earned a point vs Leicester

Charles has returned to Henrik Pedersen’s side recently after an injury kept him sidelined for two months, while he also spent four months out earlier in the campaign with a serious shoulder issue suffered in August.

He put in a strong showing against Stoke last Friday, despite the Owls’ 2-0 loss, with one particularly superb save to deny Jesurun Rak-Sakyi in the first half.

The 20-year-old’s performance against Leicester was a different level, though, and probably the finest of his short senior career so far.

Charles’ 11 saves equalled the most by a goalkeeper in a Championship match this season, which was a record that he set in the reverse fixture between the two sides back in August.

One particular highlight saw him produce two quick stops to deny both Stephy Mavididi and Patson Daka as Leicester hunted an equaliser in the second half.

There was little that he could do about Jordan Ayew’s late strike to see the Foxes take home a point, and Rangers need to be on red alert to seal his services soon after such a strong showing.

Charles is Wednesday’s biggest asset, but they know they have no chance of keeping hold of him this summer, so are set to sell to the highest bidder.

He could be the Gers’ first-choice keeper for several years if they get him signed up ahead of next term, but they will have to move quickly as Premier League sides also watch his progress.

Jack Butland’s Rangers career could be over if Charles move progresses

Sources have told Football Insider that Rangers are pushing to match Celtic’s transfer outlay each year after they announced a plan to raise over £15million to invest into Danny Rohl’s squad.

The Gers boss will be well aware of the talent that Charles possesses, having managed him for the Owls last term, and his arrival could well see veteran stopper Butland move on.

He is still their first-choice keeper right now, at 33-years-old, but has struggled at times this season and kept just one clean sheet in his last eight Premiership appearances.

Recent reports have claimed that Rangers are set to offer a new contract to second-choice stopper Liam Kelly ahead of the summer, and so Butland certainly looks like the most likely of the pair to move on if Charles is signed soon.