Derek Clark slams Gareth Southgate ‘snobbery’ after Jack Butland decision at Rangers
Derek Clark has hit out at Gareth Southgate after his decision not to select Rangers’ Jack Butland in the England squad on Thursday (14 March).
The England squad was announced at 2pm via the Three Lions’ official X account, naming Everton’s Jordan Pickford, Crystal Palace’s Sam Johnstone and Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale as the three goalkeepers in the selection.
Many Gers fans were expecting to see their in-form shot-stopper in the squad ahead of the Three Lions’ friendly fixtures against Brazil and Belgium, but his name was nowhere to be seen.
Taking to X on Thursday (14 March), Clark wrote prior to Rangers facing Benfica in the Europa League: “Butland’s playing in a competition tonight that is a pipe dream for the three England goalies.
“Southgate’s only justification to leave him out has to be a snobbery towards Scottish football.”
Does Jack Butland deserve an England call-up for his Rangers displays?
The short answer? Of course, he deserves a spot in England’s squad. It is a rather strange decision to leave the 30-year-old out of the squad, especially considering his displays at Ibrox this season.
Butland has gone from strength to strength under Philippe Clement since the Belgian arrived at Ibrox in October, currently boasting 17 clean sheets in the Scottish Premiership.
The shot-stopper has already lifted one piece of silverware with the Scottish giants, beating Aberdeen 1-0 in the League Cup final in December.
There is no doubt that the top tier in Scotland is of much lower quality than the Premier League, but Butland has European football to his name this season having featured in the Europa League with Rangers. Only Ramsdale of the other selections is at a club in Europe (Arsenal in the Champions League).
However, the Gunners ‘keeper has been displaced from the starting XI by David Raya and is totally out of favour under Mikel Arteta at the Emirates.
Butland has not been called up to the national team since 2019 and will be handed zero opportunities to build on his nine previous caps for England.
In other Rangers news, Keown has raved about an underappreciated Gers star after what he’s seen.
For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.