Rangers: talkSPORT pundit blasts Jack Butland, predicts him to be caught in Ibrox crossfire
Rangers and their new goalkeeper Jack Butland have been slammed by talkSPORT pundit Paul Parker.
The former Manchester United and England defender believes the former Stoke City and Crystal Palace man has joined a team that has “struggled with goalkeepers” in recent times.
Butland spent the last campaign on loan at Manchester United from the Eagles, but didn’t play a single game for the Red Devils.
“I’m sure that he will play because Rangers have struggled with their goalkeepers,” Parker told SpilXperten, as quoted by the Glasgow Times. “Two of them are very old and the third one doesn’t seem to have the level to play regularly for Rangers.
“Now he comes there and the plan is for him to be a starter. It’s very good for him that he leaves Man United and now goes to Rangers. It´s a very good move for him but there will be a lot of tough matches for him.
“I hope he will do himself justice but I’m not confident about it as he has just been relaxing for many years and now he will be in the middle of a crossfire.”
Great options
Rangers haven’t always had great options between the sticks, but the displays from McCrorie in the final stages of the recent campaign will have filled Michael Beale with confidence.
The manager was going to delve into the market anyway given McGregor’s exit, and McCrorie should therefore not feel hard done by with the arrival of Butland.
The goalkeeper may have his critics, but his move to Ibrox represents a good deal for all parties, with the Gers getting a top-class shot-stopper and the player himself now set for constant minutes on the pitch after plenty of time off it at Manchester United.
He will be eager to hit the ground running in Glasgow, and will want to have a similar impact to the one that former England international Joe Hart has had at fierce rivals Celtic.
The future of McLaughlin meanwhile is up in the air, and Beale could venture into the market once more should the goalkeeper follow McGregor out the exit door.
In other Rangers news, the club are currently locked in talks with key stakeholders and the Scottish FA after their latest announcement.