Rangers: Hesitant Chris Sutton makes admission about ‘brilliant’ Jack Butland at Ibrox
Chris Sutton admits Jack Butland has been “brilliant” for Rangers and believes he deserves a chance with the England side again.
The former Celtic striker said on It’s All Kicking Off! on 11 March that it’s not easy in goal for either the Gers or Celtic and after the 31-year-old was watched by representatives of Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions set up has backed him to get back in.
Sutton hesitated before making his pick for a candidate who has played their way back into contention for the England side, suggesting his Parkhead roots might make it controversial, but admitted the former Crystal Palace and Manchester United man has been “very, very good” at Ibrox.
Sutton said (43m 45s): “Hmm, don’t know whether I should say this but there is a guy who I think deserves a chance.
“It’s a bit of a grey area this, the goalkeeping selection, Jack Butland at Rangers has been very, very good this season.
“I think Gareth has sent people up to watch him, and you could say, ‘well he won’t have a lot to do’. But it’s actually not easy keeping goal at Rangers or Celtic, you have to be super concentrated in big moments.
“He’s been brilliant for them.”
Chris Sutton highly impressed by Jack Butland resurgence at Rangers
Given the goalkeeping situation in the England squad behind Jordan Pickford it looks like Butland has surely played his way into contention for a place.
His free transfer arrival in the summer is head-and-shoulders above the rest of the business done in Michael Beale’s overhaul, now that Abdallah Sima has been out for weeks with injury, and even allowing for the emergence of Dujon Sterling.
That it isn’t just pundits with Ibrox history who are backing him for a call-up, but the likes of Sutton and Michael Stewart, shows how well the Gers number one has done.
It sparked a transfer bid from Nottingham Forest and Ross Wilson in January which would have delivered significant profit to the club, yet they immediately rejected it to show how important he is to Philippe Clement’s side [Scottish Sun, 30 January].
Whether Rangers will be able to keep hold of him for the long-term is another matter, with a return to the England squad certain to increase the spotlight on him, and likely interest as well.
But for Allan McGregor’s retirement to have not been an issue at any point this term underlines how Butland may be worth more in goal in Glasgow than any money in the bank.
In other Rangers news, the club could now land a “hefty” multimillion transfer fee for a starter, with his replacement already lined up to come in.
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