When looking back at Mick Beale’s first – and only – summer in charge of Rangers, it is easy to see why things unravelled so quickly for Philippe Clement’s Ibrox predecessor.
Sam Lammers, the £3 million signing from Atalanta, has to be up there among the very worst signings in modern times at Ibrox. Danilo and Cyriel Dessers, despite some improved displays from the latter under Clement, are yet to really prove that they are worth their hefty price-tags.
Jose Cifuentes, meanwhile, made only nine Premiership appearances before returning to South America.
But while few would disagree with the notion that Beale’s recruitment left a lot to be desired, Rangers also brought in a player – on his watch – who has justifiably been labelled as the club’s ‘best signing in years’. An opinion most supporters will share with the legendary Ally McCoist.
Rangers host Celtic in massive Old Firm derby
For Eric Steele, who worked with Jack Butland at Derby and Joe Hart at Manchester City, the battle between two England international shot-stoppers is another intriguing subplot in a narrative which could decide the destination of the Premiership title.
“What an occasion,” Steele tells the Daily Record, the man with the most clean sheets in the league coming up against a 36-year-old looking for one last trophy before he hangs up his gloves.
“Believe me, both these guys are absolutely built for it. I will be delighted with a 0-0. A clean sheet for Joe and Jack and then let the battle commence after that to win the title!
“Scottish football has been brilliant for Joe and Jack. Their moves came at a time where they were needing to get back to where they should be.”
‘Unbelievable’
Like Hart, who arrived at Celtic with his reputation battered and bruised, Butland has relished the clean slate afforded to him by a fresh start north of the border. In fact, the 30-year-old has been so impressive, so consistent, that many have tipped him for a place in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.
Butland was left out of the England roster for the March friendlies. But with Crystal Palace’s Sam Johnstone injured, a stand-out display in arguably the biggest Old Firm derby in years would surely be impossible for Southgate to ignore.
“What separates the greats is that when they need to be they are the calmest men on the field. Those two (Butland and Hart) are great examples of that,” adds Steele, who was also part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s backroom staff at Manchester United.
“There’s been crucial moments in games where both have demonstrated unbelievable concentration levels when they’ve had to make the big save at the right time. They’ve been able to produce when it matters for both Celtic and Rangers.”
Steele was at Derby County when Butland joined on loan from Stoke City back in 2014. And while the 31-year-old would only play six league games for The Rams, he certainly left a big impression on his former coach.
Jack Butland key to a Rangers win
“I remember shortly after that speaking to Gareth Southgate and he said; ‘what have you been doing with Jack? He has so much confidence about building from the back’,” Steele adds.
“Jack worked so hard on it. The confidence came from playing regularly again. And that’s what has happened at Rangers. He knows he has to perform every week and I think he has relished that challenge.
“Jack is getting back up there now, rebuilding his reputation and credit to him. It’s going to be an exciting end to the season for him. He has a good chance of making the Euros squad. He is definitely going to be in the thinking of Martyn Margetson, the national goalkeeping coach. The very fact Jack is playing first team football at a big club week in week out…
“That can only do him good.”
