Sport
Reliable’ Rangers player development next month would be surprising
Journalist Dean Jones says it would be a “surprise” if Jack Butland is called up by England boss Gareth Southgate next month.
Butland has been superb since arriving at Ibrox on a free transfer last summer following his release by Crystal Palace.
That has led to suggestions he could be in line for a place in the England squad for March’s friendlies with Brazil and Belgium.
Speaking to GiveMeSport [23 February], Jones said: “I think it would be a surprise, but more in the respect that England don’t seem to need to go down that path at the moment, rather than any reflection on Jack Butland and his performances.
“One of the things we know about Jack Butland is that he is actually a very good person to have around, even as a back-up goalkeeper, because of his character, the sort of person he is and the fact that he is pretty reliable when you do need to call upon him.
“If that is what Gareth Southgate wants in a third-choice goalkeeper, he could be a good selection.”
England’s goalkeeper options for Euro 2024
It has been five and a half years since Butland last represented England, so a call-up would indeed come as a surprise.
Or at least it would have had it been mentioned before this season, at which point Butland was playing a watching role on loan at Manchester United.
Indeed, the 30-year-old had not had much action at all in the past few seasons prior to reviving his career in Glasgow.
Butland has been the Gers’ most reliable player this season and there does seem to be a spot for him in the England squad.
Jordan Pickford is the clear number one, but Aaron Ramsdale is not playing and Nick Pope is nursing an injury, so it could be Butland and Sam Johnstone who rival Pickford at the Euros.
And an international call-up after years in the wilderness would be a just reward for Butland for playing a starring role in Rangers’ sublime form under Philippe Clement over the past four months or so.
