Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland was called into action against Kilmarnock.
Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland was called into action against Kilmarnock.

Jack Butland 'Incredible' after Rangers mess v Kilmarnock on Sky Sports

Jonathan Burnett

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

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Jack Butland was "incredible" in his recovery of a mess which almost led to a goal in Rangers 1-0 defeat against Kilmarnock on Sunday, James McFadden has said.

Speaking on co-commentary for Sky Sports (20 October, 12:07pm), McFadden was shocked as a ball over the top wasn't dealt with by the Gers, with Butland completely missing a punch clear before recovering to stop Marley Watkins.

It was another mess late on which handed the home side all three points though, as Watkins took advantage of John Souttar to fire underneath Butland.

McFadden said: "It's a mess, at the start of it, but Jack Butland with an incredible recovery.

"It just doesn't sit for Marley Watkins, maybe he can hit it first time – in any case, look at the recovery from Butland to stop it. Brilliant goalkeeping in the end."

Jack Butland helpless as Rangers lose at Kilmarnock

Had Butland been unable to recover, the blame would have laid at his door, but it was his defence that let him down late on at Rugby Park.

After an infallible first season in Glasgow, Butland's ability in certain areas and overall form has been questioned at the start of this one, particularly after the Light Blue's 3-0 Old Firm defeat to Celtic.

Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland
Jack Butland's form at Rangers has come into question after a mixed start to the season [Credit: Imago]

Butland and the Gers' overall defensive numbers improved significantly after that Parkhead thrashing, collecting five wins and clean sheets in a row, but all of that good work was soon undone again.

The Light Blues number one wasn't at fault for any of the goals in Lyon's 4-1 Europa League victory at Ibrox, but losing his clean sheet record in such a manner will have been a blow for Butland.

That record has also disappeared in the Scottish Premiership now on what was a shocking Sunday afternoon for everyone connected with the club.

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