Jack Butland issues Rangers transfer exit update as he admits interest is all part of the plan
Jack Butland insists he is not planning to leave Rangers and has brushed off the inevitable transfer interest in him.
The Light Blues keeper has been a stand-out for both Michael Beale and Philippe Clement since arriving last summer, but after Nottingham Forest tried to take him straight back to England in January fears have grown that his stay at Ibrox might only last a year.
However, the 31-year-old has reaffirmed his commitment to the Light Blues, saying that the move north was an “easy decision” and a “no-brainer”, with the subsequent season only making it “more and more the right decision”.
Butland won the Viaplay Cup earlier this season while there remains a chance he could add SPFL and Scottish Cup medals before the campaign concludes, and the Englishman has suggested he could stay in Glasgow for the duration of his contract as he plans to add more silverware.
He said, via the Daily Record (1 May): “I signed a four year contract with beliefs of winning things and winning lots of trophies – that hasn’t changed in my mind. Ultimately in football when you do perform well, there’s always going to be noise and there’s always going to be talk.
“Where I’m at is that I’m loving my time here and I’m fully focused on achieving here and continuing to do so. That’s all that my mind is set on, that’s Rangers Football club.”
He added in regards to the Forest bid: “My agent notified me of what was coming in. The club immediately said, ‘No’. My agent said, ‘How do you feel about that?’ but it was a ‘no’ from me as well. Like I said, if you’re performing well things like that ultimately do come.
“I’m not blowing smoke up my arse, but I’ve been at top clubs in England before. I’ve been in England squads before. I guess that reputation has always been there.
“But then you have to perform. I feel like I’ve done that and that’s always going to put you in conversations. To generate interest means things are going well and things are going to plan.
“That’s what I want to do, I want to play well and if I’m playing well, those conversations will happen. As I’ve said, I’m happy here and I’m loving my time here.”
Rangers stay on the cards for former Crystal Palace keeper
Keeping Butland at Ibrox through what promises to be a busy summer for Clement gives the Belgian a vital point to build from, with question marks over every area of his squad.
The former England international staying might make funding another overhaul harder given a fee of more than £20million has been suggested, but finding a replacement for him would have been a challenge in itself.
Assuming he does indeed stay for the new season it surely will end Robby McCrorie’s long time at the club, with the 26-year-old forever stuck down the pecking order at Ibrox.
It remains the case that any player in the Rangers squad would in theory be available for the right price but Butland’s comments sound pretty clear cut, and arguably even more so than fellow exit-linked star James Tavernier.
There aren’t many currently at Rangers who would be certain to survive a predicted clear out by the manager, but it is likely that Butland is a near-universal pick so if he intends to stay for the long haul that looks like a major positive for the club.
In other Rangers news, the Light Blues “need” to complete transfer with agreement in place amid concerns over a starting player.
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