Rangers have gotten a Premier League bargain in Jack Butland as Manchester United alternative Andre Onana feels goes viral for the wrong reasons.
When the news broke that Rangers would need to replace Allan McGregor this summer attentions quickly turned to who might step up to the mantle.
Jon McLaughlin’s chances have came and went with back-to-back 4-0 batterings against Celtic and Ajax last season with attentions initially focused on Robby McCrorie.
But whilst the future Scotland number one is an immensely talented option, Rangers and Michael Beale have gone out and secured a top half Premier League goalkeeper in Jack Butland.
That the stopper was let go by Crystal Palace at the end of his contract is very much their loss and Rangers’ gain with the best years of the 30-year-old still in front of him.
For those watching the ex-Manchester United loanee – who never played at Old Trafford last season – there’s a growing feeling it might be at Rangers.
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What the Ibrox side have in Jack Butland is an immensely talented stopper for whom too much was expected too young and who has had a lack of love in recent seasons.
Premier League’s Jack Butland loss is Rangers’ gain
You do not get nine England caps, or make your debut as a teenager, if you’re not up to it as a goalkeeper and it is remarkable the Premier League has let Jack Butland fade into the background in recent seasons.
The goalkeeper displays expert concentration and has a sweeping ability to read the game from way back on his own goal-line.
Combine this with the commanding presence and genuine confidence the goalkeeper exudes behind Michael Beale’s front-facing side, and from crosses into the box, and Rangers have massively upgraded this position this season.
Against Ross County – in making an Allan McGregor-esque reaction save to palm the ball over the bar – the goalkeeper showed he’s no slouch when it comes to shot-stopping either.
That Rangers have managed to secure the services of Jack Butland this season speaks volumes about a sort of arrogance attached to the keeper by the Premier League.
With Manchester United releasing David de Gea this summer, the gloves were there for Butland to slip into having spent last season on loan at his boyhood club.
But instead the Old Trafford side plumped up a reported £47.2m to sign Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana – previously of Ajax fame – from Inter Milan.
Whilst the shot stopper is top player in his own right, a goalkeeping gaffe in United’s 3-2 comeback win over Nottingham Forest has spawned memes aplenty.
Onana dived far too early as Taiwo Awoniyi and Nottingham Forest raced into an early lead against the Red Devils, although they would later have their revenge.
We’ve no doubts the 27-year-old will go on to have a good season at Old Trafford, but given the genuine quality of Jack Butland, Rangers will be glad Manchester United moved elsewhere.
Given the lack of respect put on the goalkeeper in recent seasons south of the border, we reckon Jack Butland will be too.