‘I know Jack Butland well and this is what I think about new Rangers goalkeeper talk’
Jack Butland’s Rangers career has been far from a smooth ride as he’s battled with consistency issues.
Last season, he lost his spot as the number one goalkeeper to Liam Kelly, but ahead of the new Scottish Premiership season, he appears to have regained it.
Russell Martin decided to start him in the two Champions League games versus Panathinaikos, and he’s expected to be the first choice for the bulk of the 2025/26 season.
Peter Lovenkrands addresses Butland’s importance to Gers
Peter Lovenkrands, who was Butland’s teammate at Birmingham City, has waxed lyrical over the goalkeeper’s performance for the Ibrox outfit.
The 32-year-old shone in the first leg against the Greek out in the UEFA Champions League qualifier.
The former Gers winger also tipped Russell Martin for showing faith in Butland and putting him in goal for that one.
Lovenkrands told BBC Sportscene (6:56pm, 30 July): “I’m so happy for Jack. I played with him, actually, back in Birmingham when he was a young, young boy.
“I know what he’s all about as a character, and what he went through last year was really tough to watch. It’s not normal for him in that way.”
“He’s a big character, good player, and like Andy said, he was fantastic in the first season here, and then last season struggled. But for him to come in and do this now was absolutely, 100 per cent right.
“Had it not been down to him, Rangers would not have been 2-0 up at all because he kept Rangers in the game with the saves pulled off and it’s all down to Russell Martin who picked him to play.”
Rangers need to sign a long-term number one goalkeeper
Despite Butland’s recent improvement, Rangers must prioritise signing a new goalkeeper, either this summer or next, to secure a long-term number one.
Butland has shown resilience, particularly in high-pressure European ties like the Panathinaikos qualifier.
However, his long-term viability is questionable, especially given past inconsistencies.
| Club | Apps | Clean Sheets |
| Stoke City | 168 | 50 |
| Rangers FC | 103 | 40 |
| Birmingham City | 46 | 10 |
| Cheltenham Town | 24 | 11 |
| Crystal Palace | 17 | 3 |
| Leeds United | 16 | 3 |
| Barnsley FC | 13 | 2 |
Rangers’ ambition to dominate domestically and compete in Europe under Russell Martin demands a younger, agile keeper who can grow with the squad.
If they do not sign a new keeper this summer, the plan should be to rope in one in 12 months’ time as it’s a long-term need.
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