Clement in ‘unfathomable’ Butland exit update as Rangers boss blasted
Gary Keown has blasted Philippe Clement’s stance on Jack Butland’s exit after being linked with a summer move away from Rangers.
The former Stoke City goalkeeper was the subject of plenty of transfer interest during the summer, with a £5million bid from Crystal Palace rejected, instead remaining at Ibrox.
Butland has now come under considerable pressure after, arguably, being at fault for both of the Gers’ goals in a Europa League defeat to Manchester United recently, and Clement’s decision now looks to have backfired.
Writing via the Scottish Mail on Sunday [26 January, page 94], Keown said: “Manager Philippe Clement has said so many silly things during his tenure at Rangers that you lose track of it all.
“But one particularly unfathomable one was the assertion in summer that everyone was up for sale other than Butland. He could not leave at any price.”
Jack Butland criticism fair after Rangers exit links?
There is no hiding from the fact that Butland’s form has completely dropped after a heroic 2023/24 campaign, but he still made multiple key saves against the Red Devils at Old Trafford.
Football players make mistakes all over the pitch, but while teammates usually mop them up, goalkeeper mistakes are much harder to mask, often leading to goals or match-defying moments.
Clement still has Liam Kelly at his disposal, but with Butland more than proving himself since his free transfer move to Ibrox in 2023, it seems harsh to suggest keeping him was a mistake.
The 31-year-old was absolutely key to the Light Blues’ incredible run in the Europa League last term, helping lift the Scottish League Cup in 2023, and nearly lead the Gers to a Scottish Premiership title.
While the transfer fee may have vanished since the summer, not allowing the Gers to ease any financial concerns at Ibrox, cashing in on the shot-stopper would likely have caused frustration amongst the fans.
Sometimes, the Ibrox boardroom cannot win.
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