Rangers: Rage as Gareth Southgate accused over ‘slap in the face’ Jack Butland snub
Jack Butland’s snub for England selection feels like a “slap in the face for Scottish football” because he’s playing at Rangers, says Barry Ferguson.
The former Gers captain told the Daily Record (16 March) that he was in disbelief when Gareth Southgate’s squad was announced on Thursday, claiming the 31-year-old than any of those picked ahead of him, Everton’s Jordan Pickford, Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale, and the man who nominally replaced him at Crystal Palace Sam Johnstone.
Ferguson pointed out the need for Butland to maintain high concentration levels for fewer saves while he’s expected to win every game in Scotland, and feels the selection shows a “disregard” for the game north of the border.
He said: “I was watching the announcement and I couldn’t believe it – and I’m not just saying this because he’s the Rangers goalkeeper. I honestly don’t know what to say. The keepers that were picked in front of him, yes, they’re good keepers. But are they better than Jack Butland? I don’t think so.
“It cracks me up. It’s a slap in the face for Scottish football. Why hasn’t he made that squad – because he’s playing up here? I keep saying to people, Jack Butland might not have to make 10, 12 or 15 saves during a game and certainly not when Rangers are playing at Ibrox.
“But if he’s only having to make one or two saves during 90 minutes it means his concentration levels are sky high. That tells me the guy is focussed and tuned right in.
“So when I saw that squad I thought, ‘Typical!’. It just shows the disregard they have for our game. What they don’t realise is the pressure he’s playing under in every single game. As a Rangers keeper you’re expected to win every game and produce the goods up here. He’s under more pressure than any of the other keepers in that squad.”
Barry Ferguson furious as Rangers keeper overlooked at Ibrox for Everton, Arsenal and Crystal Palace counterparts
Clearly the Rangers keeper was in the frame after England coaches came to watch him in action in the lead-up to the squad announcement, so it is a surprise that he was subsequently left out.
Pickford might put up a strong argument for being under plenty of pressure in goal for the embattled Toffees, but the argument for Butland’s excellent focus at Ibrox is certainly valid.
Ramsdale would be in a similar position in the Arsenal goal were he actually playing, having lost his place to David Raya, as the Premier League leaders equally don’t concede too many opportunities.
And with the Gunners back-up making a high-profile error when he came into the line-up against Brentford, where Raya was unable to play against his parent club, Butland would be excused for thinking he has no chance after the the latest development.
Evidently Southgate believes playing in the Premier League is a level above anywhere else, which might be reasonable, but Butland has also been playing in the Europa League this season while the sum total of the trio ahead of him was a single dead-rubber Champions League game from Ramsdale.
And when the Rangers keeper was himself a back-up in the English top flight for the past two seasons and was wanted for a return in January [Scottish Sun, 30 January] the dismissal becomes more glaring.
But the Three Lions boss has made his mind up and it quite possibly shuts the door on a chance to get back in now while he remains at Ibrox, with more offers tipped in the summer as he continues to be linked with an exit thanks to his excellent form.
In other Rangers news, a senior Ibrox player has reached the contract signing stage amid talks to leave the club.
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