Sport
Rangers fired yet another Premier League warning
As the England coaching set-up admit they’ve got a Euro 2024 eye on Jack Butland, amid January links to the Premier League it’s clear Rangers will do well to keep the stopper.
Three Lions goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson admitted during the week that the Rangers goalkeeper was back on the England “radar”.
Claiming that Jack Butland’s performances at Ibrox were doing his chances of making the squad in Germany a “power of good” in an interview with the Daily Record, it’s clear the former Crystal Palace goalkeeper is making the right kind of waves at Wembley.
England manager Gareth Southgate – as quoted by the Times – has also been speaking directly about Jack Butland and the Rangers goalkeeper comes out of it looking very good indeed.
“We have to make sure we’re watching everybody,” claims Southgate. “Jack is included in that because he’s playing at a big club and is an experienced goalkeeper.”
Jack Butland has nine caps for England but hasn’t been called up to a squad for six years.
Jack Butland in England Euro 2024 reckoning
The comments from the England set-up come against the backdrop of goalkeeping uncertainty for the country heading into Euro 2024.
Everton stopper Jordan Pickford finds himself in a relegation battle, although he remains a strong performer and the clear England number one as things stand.
But the other two main options – namely Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone – are not getting enough minutes at either Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
It’s opened the door to Jack Butland and – whatever way you spin this – it’s clearly a positive thing for both Rangers and the player himself.
The former Stoke, Crystal Palace and Manchester United goalkeeper has restarted his career in Glasgow and the sounds coming from the England set-up appear to validate the move.
This sends a message to would-be Rangers players that if they perform at Ibrox – as Butland is clearly doing – then their status in Scotland won’t ultimately deny them international opportunities.
Rangers too will benefit from the fact that Jack Butland will need keep up his fine form if he stands any chance of being called up for England duty.
Double-edged Rangers goalkeeper sword
Now to the hard part and probably the part Rangers fans don’t entirely want to discuss.
If Jack Butland’s quite stunning performances in the blue of Rangers weren’t enough – really his signing has been an inspired one – being called up for England would add major interest to his name.
English trained and undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers the country has to offer, Nottingham Forest were told where to go when they came knocking in January.
But if Jack Butland continues this form and England’s squad for Euro 2024 beckons, we suspect it won’t be the last Premier League enquiry Rangers field this year.
That’s all well and good – Rangers have been clear they’re a selling club – but we can start the bidding somewhere around £20m.
