Rangers: Danny Murphy drops ‘second-best’ verdict amid Jack Butland England calls at Euro 2024
Danny Murphy has dropped his verdict on which goalkeepers will be called up for England’s Euro 2024 squad, suggesting that Rangers’ Jack Butland could miss out.
The Three Lions squad are set to battle Brazil and Belgium in two friendlies before two more fixtures against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland in June.
With Jordan Pickford, Sam Johnstone, Aaron Ramsdale, James Trafford and Butland to choose from, and Nick Pope nearing a return from injury, Gareth Southgate has a selection headache when it comes to which shot-stoppers he will take to Germany in the summer.
Speaking live via talkSPORT on Wednesday (13 March, 11:48am), Murphy said: “He would deserve it because he’s been playing well, but I don’t think he’ll go.
“He [Gareth Southgate] has picked Sam Johnstone ahead of him more recently, who is a good keeper for Crystal Palace, having regained his place. I think he’ll also take Ramsdale. Ramsdale is arguably the second-best with his feet out of the England keepers.”
Does Jack Butland deserve an England call-up due to his Rangers displays?
The 31-year-old has been one of the most consistent goalkeepers in British football this season, boasting 17 Scottish Premiership clean sheets so far and performing well in Europe.
Fans will continue to argue that the top division in Scotland does not have the required level of football to warrant an international call-up, but his displays in the Europa League suggest otherwise.
Butland was one of the most important players during the Gers’ 2-2 draw with Benfica on Thursday 7 March, making several saves to keep his side in the match.
That has been a constant theme throughout the current campaign, thriving since the arrival of Philippe Clement at Ibrox in October and becoming an undroppable force for Rangers.
In addition to having the most clean sheets in the Scottish Premiership, Butland also boasts the highest save percentage with 77.8 per cent, making 1.9 saves per game. [FotMob]
In other Rangers news, an exit deal for a senior Ibrox ace is wanted before the season’s end.
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