Rangers star Jack Butland lets rip at 'nonsense' debate surrounding ex-colleague

Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland is not having the debate surrounding Jordan Pickford and the England national team.

Butland was teammates with Pickford when he was part of the England senior squads up until 2019.

Pickford has been England's number one across a number of major tournaments now.

That remains the case at this summer's World Cup, with Pickford the undisputed first choice for Thomas Tuchel.

The Everton goalkeeper has not been at his best in England's first two games, though - a 4-2 win over Croatia and 0-0 draw with Ghana.

However, comments made by Troy Deeney - and indeed others - have not gone down well with Butland.

Jack Butland slams Troy Deeney over Jordan Pickford comments

Pickford could have done better with at least one of Croatia's goals in that first England match.

The 32-year-old's contribution has regularly been a cause of concern for club and country, meanwhile.

Speaking last week, outspoken pundit Deeney said England do not have a hope of winning the World Cup with Pickford in goal.

Those comments were echoed by World Cup and European Championship winner Emmanuel Petit.

But when asked about the debate surrounding Pickford on talkSPORT, Butland made his thoughts clear.

"I love Troy, but he does come out with some nonsense, doesn't he? For me, it’s nonsense," Butland said.

“You look at what Jordan’s done in an England shirt… I hope we go all the way – I hope we do it – and if we do, Jordan’s going to be a massive part of it.”

The century-long England record Butland broke

Butland's England days are long behind him now.

There had been strong talk he could be called up as third choice for Euro 2024 after a strong season for Rangers.

His form has never been as consistent, however, and he is way down the pecking order these days.

Butland represented England nine times at senior level, with his first cap coming in a friendly against Italy in August 2012.

He was aged just 19 years and 158 days, making him the youngest goalkeeper to play for England in a record that had stood since 1888.

What he would give to add one more to that tally, but that will surely now never happen.