25y/o has surely played final Rangers game after Saturday Clement decision

Rangers have been flying under Philippe Clement in recent weeks and a big part of that has been the phenomenal form of Jack Butland between the posts.

The Englishman’s impressive performances at Ibrox have seen speculation emerge over a potential international recall, with many pundits a supporters alike calling for Gareth Southgate to call up the Light Blues stopper for Euro 2024.

However, the Gers keeper’s excellent form hasn’t been good news for everyone at Ibrox, in particular Robby McCrorie who has seen his first-team opportunities this season limited to a solitary outing against Dumbarton in the Scottish Cup.

Most had expected him to play between the posts in Saturday’s (10 February) fifth-round showdown against Scott Brown’s Ayr United.

However, Clement opted to hand Butland the gloves once again with the 25-year-old instead returning to his usual position on the Ibrox bench and it feels like this call could have decided McCrorie’s future.

Robbie McCrorie’s time at Rangers is up under Philippe Clement

If Clement isn’t willing to start the Scottish keeper against lower-league opposition in the cup, it is clear that he doesn’t view McCrorie as a genuine competitor to Butland for the number-one shirt.

While Butland is playing in Glasgow, the 25-year-old will be fortunate to play more than a handful of games each season. His brother Ross, previously of the Gers, has already suggested a transfer away would be best for the Rangers reserve keeper and it might now be time to admit that he was right.

The Light Blues have reportedly set an asking price of £1million for McCrorie this summer [Scottish Daily Mail, 23 January], and the stopper should be doing everything in his power to get his way out of Ibrox at the end of the season.

Saturday’s decision is just the latest in a long list of reasons to show the 25-year-old why his future lies away from Ibrox in the long term.