Rangers: ‘Angry’ Jack Butland reaction tipped at Ibrox with Euros chance gone with England
Barry Ferguson has backed an “angry” Jack Butland to channel his England frustration into proving it was the wrong choice at Rangers.
The ex-Ibrox captain told the Daily Record (16 March) that he would also be furious in the circumstances after the “absolute man mountain” was overlooked for national team selection by Gareth Southgate and suggested the chances of him going to the summer Euros are probably gone.
He is adamant it would be a mistake for the Three Lions boss to ignore the Rangers keeper but expects the 31-year-old to put his focus into continuing to excel in the SPFL.
Ferguson said: “If I was him I would be disappointed. I would be angry. But if he’s angry, frustrated or disillusioned then he’ll use the remaining games of the season to go out and show just how good a goalkeeper he is.
“There is still a slight opportunity for him to go to Germany but not making it into this squad suggests that’s not going to be the case – and that’s the wrong choice.
“But all Jack can do now is continue to play the way he has since he came up here. He can’t influence anything else. And since he’s come up here he’s been an absolute man mountain at the back for Rangers.”
Barry Ferguson tips Ibrox reaction from snubbed Rangers keeper
Butland didn’t let the disappointment of the surprise omission get to him in a strong performance as Rangers went out of the Europa League later the same day in a disappointing 1-0 defeat by Benfica.
So there is little reason to expect anything other than a continuation of his strong form this season for the rest of the run in.
Top level sportsmen and women routinely use slights, perceived or actual, as personal motivation to perform better, so it may be that England’s loss is Rangers’ gain, although clearly not in Southgate’s eyes.
The Three Lions boss gets plenty of criticism south of the border for his selections and the claim that he is holding back a golden generation of talent, but has taken them further than any manager since Sir Alf Ramsey won the World Cup 58 years ago.
It is hard not to see the decision to not even give Butland a look in for the pre-Euros friendlies as a mistake though after sending coaches to watch him.
The relative quality of the Premier League and the Scottish Premiership is obvious but a shot is a shot and Butland has been saving plenty, while also performing well in Europe, so it certainly is a disappointment.
In other Rangers news, a journalist has been “reliably informed” that the agent of a Gers ace will be tying up his exit in the coming days.
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