Every Rangers team that has been successful has had a common theme, a top class goalkeeper and, in Jack Butland, Philippe Clement is half way there.
The nine-times capped England international was at it again against Kilmarnock and the Gers boss will be grateful that he has inherited a squad with the 6ft 5inch giant between the sticks.
Rangers were comfortable for much of the 90 minutes but it could all have been different if Jack Butland hadn’t been on his toes.
Rangers have match winner between the sticks in Jack Butland
It was a quiet afternoon at Ibrox for the big stopper and even a mistake at a corner was a good one to make.
Sometimes when goalkeepers come for and miss cross balls they can get punished but, on this occasion, he did enough to stop a free header and put off the Killie attackers.
This wasn’t his only involvement of the first half though.
Connor Goldson went rogue and tried to apply pressure in midfield when he didn’t need to, leaving striker Kyle Vassell unmarked in the process and stitching up John Souttar.
Vassell was played clean through and his first touch took Souttar out of the equation and, with 30 minutes on the clock, had the chance to put his side 1-0 in front.
Kilmarnock, like several teams in the Scottish Premiership, are a nightmare to play against if they have a lead to defend.
See match day one for the perfect example.
On this occasion though, they were denied by the brilliance of the Rangers goalkeeper as Jack Butland timed the moment to apply pressure perfectly before spreading himself at deaths right time.
It was as good a save and as important a save as he will make all season.
Andy Goram, Allan McGregor, Stefan Klos and Chris Woods in my lifetime, we’re all masters of making the big saves when it mattered most.
A Rangers keeper can have nothing to do all game but need to have the concentration levels required to make the sort of stop that Jack Butland did.
It could have been the difference between losing 1-0 at the break and being 2-0 in front.
It could also be the difference between winning and losing the league.
