Rangers: Barry Ferguson baffled as new Jack Butland England update emerges at Ibrox
Barry Ferguson has admitted that he “couldn’t believe” that Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland wasn’t called up to the England squad after Sam Johnstone picked up an injury.
Most pundits and reporters had tipped the Gers keeper to earn an international recall during the March international break following his excellent start at Ibrox, but Gareth Southgate opted to snub him in favour of Johnstone and Aaron Ramsdale.
Crystal Palace keeper Johnstone has left the Three Lions’ camp with a new injury worry, but Ferguson was left baffled by the decision to call up James Trafford instead of Butland as his replacement.
Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show (15 March, 1:14:45) he said: “I couldn’t believe it if I’m being honest with you. Sam Johnstone obviously got injured and they brought the boy in from Burnley who’s not playing.
“Big Jack must be looking at that thinking what does he need to do? If I’m being brutally honest, it’s going to be tough for him to get into that Euros squad. He’s as good if not better than who’s playing in goal for England.”
Will Jack Butland leave Rangers to play for England at Euro 2024?
Butland’s performances for Rangers this season have been more than deserving of an international call-up and Ferguson is correct in his suggestion that the Englishman is just as good as any other keeper in Southgate’s ranks.
But there is a snobbery around the English game towards the Scottish Premiership which makes it incredibly hard for players plying their trade north of the border to force their way into an international side.
From Philippe Clement and the Gers’ perspective, it wouldn’t have been helpful to lose Butland midway through the international break, especially when he would have had to travel down to London just to sit on the bench for a single game.
Hopefully, the Englishman can pick-up where he left off following the international break and help the Gers lift the Premiership title this season. If he continues to go from strength to strength, Southgate might not be able to ignore him.
In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton has labelled one decision involving the Light Blues a “total embarrassment”
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.