Jack Butland’s latest Rangers showing against Sparta Prague proves he’s an Ibrox legend in the making; if the club can hold off would-be Premier League suitors.
Rangers took advantage of the English top flight’s mistreatment of the former England goalkeeper to sign a four-year deal with Jack Butland in the summer.
This came at the end of his contract with Crystal Palace and at a loan move with boyhood club Manchester United, for whom he never actually played a game.
The fact that such a quality goalkeeper was resigned to the bench for all those years down south points to a career derailed but at Rangers Jack Butland is resurgent.
A visible, audible leader on the park and a goalkeeper of the genuine highest quality, Jack Butland provided his lacklustre forward-line the foundation to go and win the game against Sparta Prague.
On another day, and with better finishing, Rangers could’ve easily sneaked a goal and all three points in the 0-0 draw.
Sparta Prague showing proves Jack Butland is Rangers legend material
In a magnificent Rangers display, the 30-year-old stopper produced a fine double save in the first-half before a wonderful, scooped save not only prevented a goal but got the ball expertly to safety.
On a night when Rangers loanee Abdallah Sima was expected to steal the headlines on his return to Prague, it was the Ibrox goalkeeper making waves.
There is a real synergy between Rangers and Jack Butland and the player’s status south of the border has him with the bit between the teeth up north.
The expectations of Rangers to win every game and the archetypal standards of what it means to be a Rangers player also appear to suit this consummate professional.
The stand-out signing of Michael Beale’s controversial summer revamp, there’s a growing sentiment that Jack Butland is in the middle of a perfect storm at Rangers.
Butland is a quality player with a point to prove and Rangers have provided a stage on which he can prove it.
The kind of saves Jack Butland made against Sparta Prague are the stuff of legend on the right night at Rangers and if he sees enough of them then we’ve no doubt he’ll go down in the annals of history at Ibrox.
Whilst links to the likes of Birmingham City are almost certainly ambitious on the part of the Blues, you can bet Jack Butland is already turning a few heads in the English top flight.
It’s just as well the club have no intention of selling.
