Jordan Pickford has paid tribute to his fellow England goalkeeper 

Jordan Pickford has paid tribute to his fellow England goalkeeper Jack Butland amid speculation that the Rangers ace could join Everton’s £30 million man in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad. 

When the former Crystal Palace, Leeds and Manchester United stopper moved north of the border in the summer of 2023, some suggested that brought the curtain down on Jack Butland’s international career.

But, with Graeme Souness joining Barry Ferguson in championing Butland’s England prospects ahead of the upcoming European Championships, there is a chance, albeit maybe still a small one, that Pickford will be joined in the Three Lions camp by a man who made the last of his nine international appearances six years ago.

When asked about the Rangers star’s stellar form in Glasgow, the £30 million Everton glovesman admitted that he has been impressed by the way he has taken to one of the most high-pressure roles in British football.

But Pickford, you can be assured, will not be giving up his England spot without an almighty fight.

Rangers ace tipped for England re-call

“Nothing is ever given,” Pickford, one of the first names on the team sheet throughout the Southgate era, tells Netsport (6 March, 12pm). “You’ve got to give it your all. Performances come by working hard on the training pitch.

“Jack has gone up to Rangers and he’s having a good season. But me and Jack or not the manager. We will let him decide.”

Butland is a major reason why Rangers are top of the Scottish Premiership table, with a Europa League last-16 clash with Benfica to come on Thursday. The experienced shot-stopper – signed on a free from Crystal Palace – has built up quite the collection of virtuoso displays, one typically cat-like stop denying Kilmarnock a second goal at Rugby Park as Philippe Clement’s side came from behind to win in Ayrshire last week.

Jack Butland has been an inspired signing

“Jack Butland is a top goalkeeper,” Gers legend Souness tells the Netsport. “And I personally think, because I live in England and watch more English games than Scottish games, he should be in the mix for going to the Euros.

“I think he’s every bit as good as any England goalkeeper that’s out there at the moment, if not better. (Everton’s Jordan) Pickford is in the box seat so it’s his shirt for the moment. But Jack is a top-class performer.

“Rangers should be jumping up and down that they have a goalkeeper of his quality because I really believe he should be in the England mix. He is a top goalkeeper.”