Rangers: ‘Exceptional’ Jack Butland a top Scottish signing in years – BBC Sport’s Tom English
Jack Butland is one of the best signings in Scottish football for “many-a-year” after another “exceptional” Rangers performance, according to Tom English.
The BBC Sport journalist heaped praise on the 30-year-old keeper for his part in the 3-2 win at Real Betis on the Scottish Football Podcast (15 December) to continue his stand-out form since arriving on a free transfer in the summer.
Michael Beale lost his job for not getting it right with his squad overhaul but did succeed in replacing the retiring Ibrox legend Allan McGregor properly, as Butland solved what English called a “big problem”.
English said (5m 20s): “Butland was exceptional. I think Butland has been one of the best signings in Scottish football for many-a-year.
“He’s solved a big problem for Rangers. How are you going to get someone of the class of McGregor?
“Well, they got one.”
Rock
It hardly bears thinking about where the Gers would have been during the early-season struggles if Butland hadn’t come in from Crystal Palace.
The former England international has actually been an upgrade on the 41-year-old version of McGregor, even if he has a long way to go to threaten the Scot’s legacy at Ibrox.
The man who brought him to the club may be gone but he has largely keep a high level of performance throughout, and after the qualification as group winners in Europe with the chance to lift the first trophy of the season on Sunday it appears fortunes might be turning.
Philippe Clement still has plenty of elements to address within his squad but he won’t have any concerns about moving forward with his number one in goal.
Abdallah Sima is the only one of the summer signings who can claim to have been as important as Butland, and between them they have helped hold the operation together while the new manager leads an important revival.
Significant improvements are still needed but the win in Europe, a cup final, and a dropped points in the SPFL from Celtic have improved the prospects for Rangers’ season all round and Butland is sure to be a key part of any success they do secure.
In other Rangers news, the club have issued a response to “misinformation” over their star man.