Sky Sports pundit adamant about Jack Butland before Rangers beat Kilmarnock
Gareth Southgate should include Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland in England’s Euro 2024 squad, says James McFadden.
The former Everton and Scotland striker has identified Butland as worthy of a place in Southgate’s 26-man squad at this summer’s tournament in Germany, speaking on Sky Sports [5 May].
Butland’s first season in Scotland has seen him named Rangers fans’ Player of the Year, as he prepares for the PFA Scotland awards on Sunday night following a vital clash against Kilmarnock at Ibrox.
Speaking on Sky Sports Football ahead of Rangers’ win over Kilmarnock on Sunday (5 May), McFadden told presenter Eilidh Barbour: “I think Jack should be in the squad.
“Listen, I don’t even care about who’s in the England squad, but I think he should be in it – he’s shown in the big games that he’s a top-level goalkeeper.
“All joking aside, he should be in the squad because he’s been tremendous this year.”
Nine-cap goalkeeper Butland has made 54 appearances for Rangers since arriving last summer – more than in the previous three seasons combined – and has kept 18 Scottish Premiership clean sheets, earning plaudits all over Scotland.
Should Jack Butland be recalled for England?
Butland’s odds six weeks ago to make the England squad were priced at 2/1, the fourth-likeliest to be called up behind Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope.
His performances even in the past few weeks have continued to go from strength to strength in a Rangers shirt – though some believe he will miss out simply because he is no longer in the Premier League.
But with Ramsdale having been demoted to Arsenal’s bench for months and Pope having struggled for a lengthy spell with injury, Southgate could be inclined to select a stopper with over 50 games under his belt this season, in a side with one trophy locked away and still in the hunt for two more.
Sam Johnstone and James Trafford are among other outside shouts for a spot in Southgate’s goalkeeping trio, but one thing for sure is the 31-year-old has rekindled his career with Rangers reaping the benefits of offering him the long-term contract he signed.
In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton shares his verdict on their contest with Kilmarnock.
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