Scott McDermott names ‘woeful’ Rangers player after Hibernian defeat
Rangers crashed to a 2-0 defeat against Hibernian at Ibrox on Saturday.
Although Rangers had the majority of possession and overall shots, it was a fifth consecutive defeat at Ibrox leaving serious questions over the state of the current team.
It has been a poor season for the Light Blues and there are plenty of people who have to take some responsibility for how badly the campaign has gone.
McDermott picks out woeful Rangers man
There have been few players who have covered themselves in too much glory at Ibrox this season.
However, there are certainly a number of experienced players who have been well below the expected levels.
One of those players is Jack Butland who, despite being comfortable in the number one position for some time, has not been up to it for much of the season.
| Appearances | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets |
| 25 | 26 | 10 |
Although the Light Blues took all three points against Dundee, it was a closer game than they would have liked and Butland was responsible for a blunder that led to the opposition scoring.
The goalkeeper made another mistake against Hibernian after letting in the first goal which he should have done better with.
Writing in the Daily Record (6 April), Scott McDermott did not hold back in his analysis as he said: “It was a decent strike – but it should have been a standard stop for the Rangers keeper. Instead, it went through his body to put Gray’s men in front.
“If Butland was wonderful in his first season at Ibrox, when he picked up every Player of the Year award going, he has been woeful this term.
“Mistakes against St Mirren, Motherwell, Dundee and now Hibs have riddled his campaign. And his latest effort gave the visitors something to hold on to.
“Rangers improved but it felt like the same old story at Ibrox from recent weeks. Butland cost a goal, Cyriel Dessers missed chances – and they were booed off at the break.”
Rangers in the market for a new goalkeeper
The 49ers Enterprises are yet to complete their takeover of Rangers but if it goes through then the summer transfer window is expected to be an exciting time for the Gers.
There is plenty of work to be done though and the likelihood of changing everything around in one window is highly unlikely meaning positions will have to be prioritised.
As it stands, Butland could be one of those under threat for the axe.
With questions being posed about who will be the manager overseeing the transfer window, it is hard to predict what will happen and a decision may well rest on personal preference.
However, if the budget allows, then it may well be time to refresh things at the back and part ways with the 32-year-old who is out of contract in 2027.
With Liam Kelly waiting in the wings, Butland has to be serious about upping his game if he wants to see out the season as number one, never mind retaining his spot next term.