Rangers: Neil McCann shares summer verdict on Jack Butland after what happened v Celtic
Neil McCann believes Gareth Southgate has a simple decision to select Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland for the England squad at Euro 2024.
Butland was once again superb for the Gers as they battled back to earn a 3-3 draw against Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday (8 April).
The 31-year-old has not been called up by Southgate since 2019, but McCann cannot see him not being in the Three Lions’ next squad.
“Celtic could have been out of sight,” McCann said on BBC Scotland Sportscene [7 April, 34m 35s].
“The save that he pulled off on [Daizen] Maeda, I’d expect him to make. But the one from Matt O’Riley is absolutely top class. What a stop that is.
“The England manager was there watching him today, and I think he’s been one of the players of the season.
“He’s a huge reason why Rangers were still in this match at half-time. He was superb in the first half.
“How could [Southgate] not be impressed? He’s a good kicker, makes big stops, has good concentration. Why shouldn’t he be in the England squad?”
When is the England Euro 2024 squad named?
Southgate will name a ‘training squad’ on 21 May, which will then be whittled down to 23 – or possibly 26 if UEFA bow to pressure from international managers.
The potential increase in squad size will unlikely make much difference to Butland as it is rare for a national team to select more than three goalkeepers.
Butland’s absence from England’s friendlies with Brazil and Belgium last month was strange to say the least. With Sam Johnstone now out for the season, perhaps that stance will change.
The former Manchester United player really was superb in the first half in particular against Celtic, denying O’Riley and then Maeda with some smart saves.
For all the talk of Butland being part of England’s Euros squad, though, his immediate focus is on helping the Gers complete a domestic treble. More of what we saw over the weekend and he would have more than played his part in that.
In other Rangers news, Gabby Agbonlahor delivered a damning verdict after what he saw in the Old Firm and singled out one player in particular.
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