Jack Butland reveals what Michael Beale did to convince him on Rangers move
Jack Butland revealed how Michael Beale came to see him and deliver a personal pitch ahead of his move to Rangers.
The former England goalkeeper spent the second half of last season on loan at Manchester United, a club he supported as a boy, from Crystal Palace.
However, with his Eagles deal at an end Butland decided that he wanted to get back playing regularly and the lure of Rangers, aided by Beale’s presentation, made it a move he could not turn down.
In quotes reported by Football Scotland, Butland said: “Rangers had always been there for a few years but it never quite got to a point where I had a decision to make and this summer it got to that point. It wasn’t a difficult decision to make, it’s an incredible club to join with the history and being successful is what you want as a player.
“That’s this club’s goal every year without fail. Be successful and win. That’s an exciting place to be as a player, and hopefully we can do that.
“It was always there or thereabouts but it never got to the point I could make it a reality. I met the manager a few months ago and I was coming to a point in my contract it would be easier to make it happen to make it real.
“Hearing the manager and the way he spoke and the plans he had it all of a sudden with the lure of Ibrox and the fans and everything that comes with the club it was easy in the end.
“It was never there but it had always been an attraction of mine. There were rumours it could but it never got to the point where I spoke to anyone. I spoke to the manager back in March. He came down to see me. I very quickly got a feel for what he wanted to do and there was a presentation of what the club was about.
“You can only learn so much about the club from that but I had made my mind up at that point and once the contract situation with Palace came to a point it was full steam ahead and I got it wrapped up as quickly as possible.
“I kept an eye out and watched a few games towards the end of last season. You can say what you like about them (the fans) but you’ve got to experience it first hand so I’m looking forward to that. They are what they are, you’ve got to win.”
Beale’s personal touch pays dividends
The Gers had plenty of positions they needed to address this transfer window as Beale looks to lead an overhaul of the first-team squad at Ibrox.
Among those was goalkeeper, with veteran Allan McGregor allowed to leave upon the expiry of his contract and concerns over Robby McCrorie’s viability as a long-term number one.
It just so happened that the stars aligned for Butland to move north of the border. Having been a back-up option at Palace, then a back-up option at Old Trafford, it was a move that made sense for all parties.
Rangers were signing an experienced goalkeeper with England caps to his name, and Butland has the chance to establish himself again as a number one goalkeeper.
And the key to this deal was the personal touch by Beale, visiting Butland and selling his vision of what he wants to achieve over the coming years at Ibrox. It sounds like that move was instrumental in Butland’s willingness to join the club.
In other Rangers news, personal terms for Jose Cifuentes have been ‘practically agreed’.