Michael Stewart wowed by top class Jack Butland after Rangers win v Hearts
Michael Stewart was left wowed live on air by Jack Butland’s performance for Rangers in their win over Hearts, describing the goalkeeper as “top class.”
The Light Blues secured their place in the Viaplay Cup final with a 3-1 win over Hearts on Sunday (5 November) as James Tavernier scored twice either side of a second-half effort from Scott Wright to continue the unbeaten start under Philippe Clement.
But while most praise was directed towards Rangers’ attacking talent, Stewart was equally as impressed by the exploits of Butland between the posts and was keen to praise the Englishman after he denied Frankie Kent’s header with an excellent save.
Speaking live on ViaPlay coverage of the semi-final [5 November, 16:17] he said: “There’s the save before from Butland, it’s a save you expect him to make.
“He’s top class.”
Top class
While many of Michael Beale’s summer signings at Rangers have proven to be slight wastes of money or even slow starters, there is no doubt that the purchase of Butland is proving to be one of the best pieces of business completed at Ibrox in recent years.
The England international has been in inspired form throughout the opening matches of the season and has repeatedly kept the Light Blues in matches when they haven’t been at their best with some excellent saves at crucial moments in matches.
That was once again true on Sunday as the 30-year-old only conceded once from five shots that hit the target as he clawed a number of efforts away from his goal line, including the “top class” save from Kent that left Stewart so impressed.
However, expectations have risen for Butland and it is clear from Stewart’s verdict that it was a save you would expect him to make that supporters and pundits are assuming that the keeper will pull them out of trouble with his work between the posts.
If Rangers want to continue this impressive start under Clement and cap it off with a Viaplay Cup win, they will need to hope that their number one continues to save them in the crucial moments and they will hope that continues to be the case over the next few seasons.
In other Rangers news, Cyriel Dessers has admitted that the criticism he receives at Ibrox often makes him laugh