Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland has praised Robby McCrorie whilst accepting that his Ibrox role ‘must be difficult’.
Rangers knew that Allan McGregor wouldn’t go on forever, and he left Ibrox at the end of his contract over the summer.
Robby McCrorie was given a couple of chances towards the end of the season but it became clear that he wasn’t viewed as the long-term McGregor heir.
Rangers went and brought in Jack Butland on a free transfer, leaving McCrorie to settle for a bench role yet again.
Jack Butland comments on Rangers goalkeeper Robby McCrorie
Butland has been hugely impressive this season, arguably Rangers’ Player of the Year so far.
That means McCrorie faces a big ask in terms of propelling himself into the starting lineup this season.
Butland has been suitably impressed though, telling Rangers Review that he thinks McCrorie is a ‘top goalkeeper’.
McCrorie has been included in the Scotland squad to face Georgie and Norway, with Angus Gunn missing out through injury.
Butland has congratulated McCrorie on that call-up, and believes that Scotland now have a top goalkeeper coming through.
Butland accepts that the Rangers man is now in a ‘difficult’ position though, having been in similar situation in the past.
“I think I knew before him! I came in and saw it on the TV and said congrats,” said Butland. “He’s a top goalkeeper who works extremely hard, it must be difficult because I’ve been in his position before where you’ve not played as much and I can understand frustrations but he has worked hard. Scotland have a top goalie on their hands,” he added.
McCrorie will surely attract interest in 2024
Rangers will be delighted with McCrorie as the club’s second-choice goalkeeper.
McCrorie is talented, homegrown, isn’t breaking the bank and is more than capable of filling in for Butland if needed.
You could hardly blame McCrorie for wanting more though.
McCrorie is 26 in March and has only ever played five league games for Rangers, which just isn’t enough.
We wouldn’t be surprised if other clubs came in for McCrorie, offering him regular first-team football elsewhere.
Rangers would love to stand firm but McCrorie may well have plans to move on if the right opportunity arrives.
