Rangers: Simon Jordan doubts Jack Butland mentality as Jim White wants England recall
Simon Jordan has questioned Rangers keeper Jack Butland’s claim to an England spot by suggesting he hasn’t shown a motivation to “be the best” in his career.
The talkSPORT pundit reacted live on the station on 16 April when host Jim White suggested Jordan Pickford’s place could come under threat after his nightmare outing the previous evening as Everton were thrashed 6-0 at Chelsea.
White called for the Ibrox number one to get a go after Pickford’s moment of “bombscarity” as he passed straight to Cole Palmer to fire in from distance, but Jordan suggested that Butland wasn’t such a glowing option when he had been “quite happy” to sit on the bench at Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
Jordan said of Pickford (10.13am): “Well the challenge is A) Has he let England down? That’s an argument that gets constantly advanced when it comes to other players as well, and B) Are the other protagonists that can take his space so compelling that you move them [in]?”
“Move in Jack Butland and be done with it,” White cut in.
“Well you might well say that because it’s up in your neck of the woods,” replied Jordan, “but as a matter of course Jack Butland has had opportunities with England before.
“He’s been quite happy until recent terms to sit on the bench. That doesn’t tell me that he’s someone who’s really chomping at the bit to be the best.”
White claimed: “I think he wants his opportunity.”
“He may well do now,” Jordan continued, “but he was prepared to sit on the bench for Palace and Man United for a few seasons. When you set into that mindset that tells you something about yourself.”
Rangers keeper tipped after Jordan Pickford nightmare in Everton loss at Chelsea
Based on Gareth Southgate’s time in charge of his national side he isn’t going to be dropping Pickford as his number one unless the Toffees man has a performance like the one he did at Stamford Bridge every game until the end of the season.
And unfortunately for Butland his own form has dipped along with Philippe Clement’s side more generally, with questions over him knocking two Ross County goals into dangerous areas in the damaging weekend defeat.
Southgate was in attendance at Ibrox the week before to see the Light Blues man, who has still probably been the signing of the season and could yet make the club a lot of money, pull off at least one stunning save to deny Matt O’Riley, but then also allow Adam Idah’s late third squirm under him.
Butland seemed an excellent bet for a call up during the last international break but was snubbed, as it clearly looks like the Three Lions boss values playing in the Premier League highly, but after Sam Johnstone’s injury the Rangers man is surely next up.
Jordan’s argument can surely be countered by the fact that Butland took the chance of moving to Glasgow specifically in order to be the starter, but it is true he was in the relative wilderness for some time.
Pickford is well-established as number one and one bad night in West London won’t change that, but as long as he picks himself up from his own wobble Butland must be in with a shot at the Euros after seeing one of the men ahead of him ruled out in Johnstone.
In other Rangers news, a pair of senior Gers aces don’t “expect” to overcome Celtic for the title according to a pundit.
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