Jack Butland could reject January exit as Andy Firth makes ‘special’ Rangers claim
Jack Butland could reject the possibility of a move away from Rangers in January, as Andy Firth has claimed he will have already been bitten by the Ibrox bug.
The former Rangers keeper claimed Butland will already be hooked as he looks like he is enjoying himself and relishing the challenge of being the first-choice stopper.
Butland has been linked to a move away from Ibrox, with Birmingham City hopeful of luring him to the Championship, as they may believe they can tempt Rangers with money due to their financial situation [Daily Record, 22 November].
Speaking to the Daily Record [22 November], Firth shared: “I still watch all the games, I’m addicted to it. The bug got me good and proper. And hopefully, it’s bitten Jack too. I’ve seen some Twitter rumours going around about the potential for clubs to come sniffing in January.
“I really hope they don’t for obvious reasons. He looks like he’s really enjoying himself and it’s no wonder. I think everybody gets that bug for Rangers once they walk through that famous front door.
“I’m just hoping that everything about the club and the fanbase, especially with the way things have been going since the new manager arrived, is enough to convince him to stay. He’s joined a club that is fighting to win trophies every year and that European pull is also massive.
“Those European nights are special and I definitely think that will play a big part in his mind if anything does come calling because you don’t get that anywhere else.”
No reason to leave just yet
Only a few months into his Rangers career, Butland is already the subject of plenty of speculation over a possible move away, but there is no reason for him to leave Ibrox just yet with his career in Scotland just getting started.
A return to Birmingham could be understandably tempting as that is where the keeper started his professional career, but it would represent a step down from Rangers both in the respective competitions and the stature when comparing the two clubs.
The opportunity to be Rangers’ number one, performing in European competitions and fighting for silverware, should be too much for Butland to give up just yet, and the subject may be revisited in the summer, but a January move seems unlikely.
When he arrived at Ibrox, Butland immediately spoke of his pride and admiration for the club and the fans, appearing to have caught that bug immediately upon arrival. Firth and the Rangers support will be hoping that rings true.
In other Rangers news, the club’s finances may tempt bids for a star player.