Jeff Stelling makes Jack Butland claim at Rangers after Ally McCoist conversation
Jeff Stelling has suggested that Rangers star Jack Butland deserves a place in England’s squad for the European Championships after being convinced by Ally McCoist.
Butland has enjoyed a strong season with Rangers and will be hoping his displays have forced him into Gareth Southgate’s thinking.
Stelling had selected Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale alongside obvious first-choice pick Jordan Pickford but was talked into adding Butland by McCoist.
Speaking live on talkSPORT (07:25, 14 May), Stelling said: “This is what I have gone for goalkeepers. I have changed my mind here actually. Pickford, Ramsdale and the third goalkeeper I have gone for is Jack Butland.
“The thing about Jack is he has been playing in big games all season long, and you [McCoist] tell me week in, week out he has been doing brilliantly. That’s good enough for me.”
Should Jack Butland be called up for England?
There is no doubt that Butland faces a wealth of competition to earn a place in Southgate’s final England squad this summer.
However, pleasingly for the 30-year-old, his strong campaign at Rangers has coincided with a weakening of many of his main competitors for a place in the squad alongside first-choice shot-stopper and Southgate favourite Pickford.
Ramsdale has lost his starting place with the Gunners this term, making just 11 appearances across all competitions, while Newcastle United’s Nick Pope is only just returning from a lengthy injury layoff and has yet to even reclaim his club starting spot from Martin Dubravka.
Butland, meanwhile, has helped Rangers win the Scottish League Cup and reach the final of the Scottish Cup, producing remarkable displays along the way.
He will hope it is enough to be included on the list when Southgate announces his final squad ahead of the Euros.
In other Rangers news, Si Ferry could not believe the Borna Barisic call Philippe Clement made in the Old Firm derby v Celtic.
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