There are several players who encapsulate Rangers current problems and reflect perfectly how the season has panned out.
Cyriel Dessers’ 22 goals and seven assists in a season where the Ibrox faithful would happily seem him sold is one example, but there is another high profile example in the current Rangers squad.
Barry Ferguson has his work cut out as Rangers manager to squeeze consistency out of the most inconsistent players, however, Jack Butland might be the most infuriating.
- READ MORE: Fenerbahce vs Rangers: 9/10 MOM immense at both ends as statistics back Premier League dream
Jack Butland back on form for Rangers against Fenerbahce
Against Fenerbahce, the 31-year old looked back to his best and yet still had a moment to forget as he wiped out Robin Propper who suffered a concussion and had to be replaced by Leon Balogun.
The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell summed things up perfectly:
“Butland has been a walking mistake for months and months now. His decision-making is shot to pieces and he hasn’t recovered.
“Not sure how long Rangers can continue with him before it becomes untenable.”
Campbell is right, Butland has developed a real indecision when it comes to sweeping up behind his defence after several domestic incidents, he has also been directly responsible for at least five goals in less than 12 months.
Between spilling a tame shot in the Scottish Cup final, punching into his own net at Old Trafford and gifting Motherwell a tap in at Ibrox after failing to hold a daisy cutter, Butland has had his position as Rangers No.1 questioned.
Why Butland deserves more time to regain Rangers form
There is a reason why his position isn’t untenable though.
Aside from the incident with Propper, Butland was immense against Fenerbahce with Mourinho branding him “fantastic”.
There was nothing he could do about their goal and, according to FB Ref, prevented 1.4 goals in terms of his shots saved v Fenerbahce’s expected goals tally.
He was dominant in his six-yard box and his 90th minute fingertip save low to his right could be the difference when the full-time whistle blows at Ibrox on the 13th of March.
A similar level of performance again and a place in the quarter-finals might just become reality.
