Wes Foderingham welcomes extra competition at Rangers

Wes Foderingham: First pick. Picture: SNS

Little wonder the 25-year-old Londoner doesn’t seem perturbed by the arrival of Polish goalkeeper Maciej Gostomski, or the return to fitness of  Cammy Bell.

Foderingham can afford, indeed, to welcome the “versatility in the training sessions” and the “better” working environment that comes from  daily routines with “a number of ’keepers”. “It’s competition for places and helps everyone,” he said.

The former Swindon Town goalie rejects any suggestion that he may feel comfortable in his first-pick status at Rangers. “You can never feel comfortable as a ’keeper, centre-half or striker,” he said. “There’s always someone behind you ready to work hard and take your shirt. I’ve got to work hard and keep the performances as strong as possible.”

However, he draws confidence about what his immediate future holds from the fact that in his career he has never been in the position Bell now finds himself. The Scotland international is in the invidious position of being the one-time Rangers No 1 now choking for game-time without looking likely to get it at Ibrox.

“Since I was 19 I’ve always been out on loan,” Foderingham said. “I was at Fulham when I first went out on loan, then Crystal Palace and I gained experience there. When I moved to Swindon Town I went straight in as  No 1.

“ So for the bulk of my professional career, that’s what I have been used to.

“I’m sure it is difficult for Cammy. He’s been the No 1 and played all the games and he’s had a prolonged period on the sidelines through injury and I’ve come in and started playing the games now. He was on the bench last week. That’s football though and these things happen. He’s a professional and he’s training very, very hard and I’m sure he wants to get back playing, but I want to play as well.”

Gostomski will also be looking to make his mark. And for more than telling tales of a colourful career, as the freed Lech Poznan ’keeper did when signing a six-month deal at Rangers at the start of this month . The 6ft 5in keeper then related how he was fined a week’s wage at Legia Warsaw for throwing a pineapple at the window of a Warsaw flat following an argument.

“He’s a very big lad!” Foderingham said. “He’s got a different style and technique coming from Poland, but he’s been fantastic and he’ll do well. He will add strength to the goalkeeping department.

“He’s a lively character and joins in with the banter. It’s good to have characters in the dressing room.”

l Rangers have lost out to Leeds United in their bid to sign Brentford midfielder Toumani Diagouraga, who signed a two-year-deal at Elland Road yesterday.

Ibrox manager Mark  Warburton had previously worked with the French  player and had been keen to land the 28-year-old.