Jack Butland dubbed ‘terrible’ as footage relayed to studio in Sturm Graz vs Rangers
Rangers found themselves behind early in their Europa League clash with Sturm Graz on Thursday.
Russell Martin headed into the game running out of excuses for his side’s poor form, and Rangers got off to the worst possible start.
Tomi Horvat took seven minutes to open the scoring in Austria, as Rangers faced Sturm Graz on a dodgy pitch in the Europa League.
The Rangers’ defence did not cover itself in glory, but Jack Butland was particularly culpable.
Jack Butland slammed after Sturm Graz goal
Horvat’s goal came after John Souttar and Derek Cornelius allowed the shot with some woeful defending, but it was one that Butland really should have saved.
- James Tavernier’s throw-in was intercepted by a Sturm Graz defender.
- Souttar played an attacker onside as the ball went straight through to him.
- Cornelius lost his man and failed to block the shot as Horvat fired in on goal.
With all the poor defending, Butland was the last line of defence, but despite the shot being fired straight at him, he parried it into his own net.
Speaking on BBC Sportsound coverage on 2 October, Steven Thompson slammed the Rangers goalkeeper for this huge error after a replay was relayed to the studio.
https://x.com/footballontnt/status/1973828330714522105“It’s a terrible error from Butland, I mean, John Souttar is sleeping as well,” Thompson stated after watching a replay of the goal.
“They’re quick with the ball, Sturm Graz, but John Souttar is out of position asleep, and he then can’t make contact. I feel as though Jack Butland has got to do a lot better there.”
Butland’s error was a rare one this season
Out of everyone, Butland deserves the least criticism as he is one of the few Rangers players who are not having a poor individual season.
Butland has stopped Rangers from being humiliated on several occasions, and even after his mistake, he made several strong saves, but could not prevent the key Sturm Graz threat, Otar Kiteshvili, from doubling the lead.
While the goal was a preventable one from the goalkeeper, questions will have to be raised about Rangers’ defensive unit, as yet again, a Martin side was carved open with just two passes twice in the first half.
It’s nowhere near good enough, again.
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