Rangers: Jack Butland meets with Gareth Southgate in England update
Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland has admitted he met with Gareth Southgate and the England squad when they travelled to Scotland last year, as an international recall may be on the cards.
Butland shared that the squad had trained at Auchenhowie ahead of that clash, so he took to opportunity to speak to the manager, some of the staff, and a few of his former teammates.
The shot-stopper has been one of the most consistent performers at Ibrox this season, receiving high praise for his performances and possibly earning himself a first call-up since 2018.
Speaking live on talkSPORT [5 February, 08:57], Butland admitted: “England trained here at the training ground before the game against Scotland last year, I saw him [Southgate] there, I went to the hotel to see them and to catch up with a few of the players and some of the staff.
“I know that relationship is there. It always has been. Ultimately it comes down to playing regularly and performing. That’s something I believe I am doing, and I know if it’s a consideration that I could get back in there, I certainly would love to do it.
“It’s been something that I’ve always loved being a part of, representing my country, and that love will continue. So if I’m doing enough then I’m sure they’ll be paying attention, and hopefully, it is enough. If there’s an opportunity then I would relish that.”
Butland has earned an England recall
The Rangers goalkeeper has certainly put in the level of performance needed to begin that conversation, and with the likes of Nick Pope and Sam Johnstone not playing, there is no reason why Butland wouldn’t pip either of them to a call.
His form has been so impressive that the club faced a fight to keep him at Ibrox in January, with a late bid made by Nottingham Forest and another English club to lure him away after just six months in Glasgow.
Rangers legend Ally McCoist mooted a potential call for the goalkeeper to go to the Euros with England in the summer given the goalkeeping situation in the international squad, claiming he should go in place of any goalkeeper who hasn’t been playing regularly.
Jordan Pickford is most likely to remain England’s number one, which is fair enough, but the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson and Sam Johnstone haven’t even been playing regular football.
In other Rangers news, one player is jetting off ahead of a move away from Ibrox.
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