Alex McLeish shares Rangers transfer verdict with point to prove for Jack Butland
Former Rangers manager Alex McLeish believes that Jack Butland has plenty to prove following his high-profile move to Ibrox, as reported by the Daily Record.
He arrives in Glasgow with a significant reputation after spending much of his career in the English Premiership as well as having nine full international caps for England under his belt.
Butland will officially become a Rangers player on 01 July, as he aims to establish himself as a number-one goalkeeper for the first time in several years.
McLeish worked with the keeper for a short spell during his time in charge of Birmingham City, when he was sent on loan, just as Joe Hart was later.
Big Eck mentioned the obvious parallel with their careers in moving to Scotland after stalling in England’s top flight with the need to show that they are still at the level they once were.
“Jack still has to prove he is at that kind of level,” he said.
“His history shows that he should have that kind of confidence like Joe has brought to Celtic. But he is maybe smarting a wee bit that he has not been a 100 per cent regular in the English divisions.”
“I think Jack will want to prove a point.”
Lost time
McLeish is right and that sentiment will not be lost on Butland, who is coming to Rangers for a chance to play regular football and re-establish his reputation.
He will have the chance to play for trophies as well as to feature in the Champions League, or at worst, the Europa League. That will be an enticing prospect for a player who has mostly been out of action for two seasons.
In the last campaign, he was injured at Crystal Palace for the first half then in January moved to Manchester United, where he sat on the bench as backup for David de Gea. In the 2021/22 season, he only made nine appearances including his last competitive outing, overall, in May 2022.
On that basis, Butland has plenty to prove as he aims to make up for lost time at a key stage of his career and what an opportunity he has to take full advantage of.
In other Rangers news, Michael Beale is in the hunt to sign this “excellent” 24-year-old striker as a major roadblock is cleared – report.