When Ally McCoist isn’t being one of Rangers’ greatest ambassadors, he’s championing the likes of Jack Butland for Euro 2024.
The Rangers goalkeeper has been a revelation this season and only this week was Philippe Clement shutting down transfer reports by branding the stopper indispensable.
With everyone at Ibrox eager to keep Jack Butland around this season, Ally McCoist has been singing the Rangers star’s praises ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany.
And those words of encouragement have had an impact too with legendary broadcaster Jeff Sterling now convinced that Gareth Southgate should recall the keeper back into the England reckoning after an almost six year absence.
Stelling: McCoist changed my mind on Butland
Speaking on TalkSPORT, Ally McCoist and Jeff Stelling were discussing the England team for this summer’s European Championships.
Gareth Southgate was in Glasgow at the recent 3-3 Old Firm derby clash with the nine-times capped England goalkeeper very much in the Euro 2024 discussion.
Named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year, Jack Butland has re-found his love of the beautiful game after seasons warming Premier League benches and his rewards are very much in the post.
Jeff Stelling – having been convinced by Ally McCoist – claims he’s now ‘changed his mind’ and that Jack Butland makes his England squad for Euro 2024.
Speaking on TalkSPORT Breakfast (approx. 7:25am):
Jeff Stelling: “This is what I have gone for goalkeepers. I have changed my mind here actually. Pickford, Ramsdale and the third goalkeeper I have gone for is Jack Butland. The thing about Jack is he has been playing in big games all season long, and you tell me week in week out he has been doing brilliantly. That’s good enough for me.”
Ally McCoist: “Honestly, Jeff, I think he has been outstanding. He made so many saves at the weekend, kept out three or four.”
Rangers goalkeeper ‘delighted’ at England talk
Jack Butland has been one of Rangers’ top performers this season and it’s little wonder Philippe Clement is desperate to keep the goalie at Ibrox.
Butland too, who has struggled to find a home in recent seasons, is also fully focused on life in Glasgow despite murmurs about a potential return to the Premier League.
But when it comes to a recall to the England national team, Jack Butland is clear that he’d relish the opportunity to put his stamp back on the Three Lions set-up.
When asked if he’d spoken to Southgate, Butland responded: ““No I haven’t spoken to him, no. Of course (I am still holding out hope of a Euro 2024 call-up).
“But as I’ve said all along, that comes with performances for Rangers. The fact that he came up to watch is fantastic.
“It’s important for me and any other English player that it’s a window, there’s an opening, that there’s that potential there.
“So all I can do from here on out is focus on my performances which is all that matters to me at the minute is what we do here and what we do with this club.
“If (an England call comes) then I’ll be delighted.”
Jack Butland has made 55 appearances for Rangers so far this season, conceding 47 goals and keeping 25 clean sheets.
