When Rangers were linked with Jack Butland, it always seemed like a deal that would be blocked by finances or a desire to stay in the Premier League rather than slumming it in the SPFL.
Instead, the 31-year old chose regular game time at Ibrox and the chance to win trophies but at a club that means he can still achieve all of his goals.
One of those being regaining his place in the England international squad but his Rangers form has been ignored with Jack Butland getting knocked back by Gareth Southgate.
Rangers form ignored as Jack Butland gets England cold shoulder
Butland is no stranger to the England setup, yes, he only has nine caps but he was a regular fixture in squads for years including being selected for the 2012 European Championships and 2018 World Cup.
Seeing his statistics compared to the other contenders on Sky Sports made it look like Southgate only had one choice and speculation had been rife that he was the one getting the phonecall.
More clean sheets, a higher save percentage and no mistakes leading to goals being the key numbers where he came out on top.
It doesn’t matter that he is playing in Scotland, the fundamental facts are that he is making the big saves when it matters and not making mistakes, that he has immediately became a key member of the squad says it all about his personality too.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Butland’s game has been his handling.
Teams no longer try and put every corner or set piece under the cross bar because we have a goalkeeper who will come out and catch it.
The talk was that Jack Butland would be picked but Sam Johnstone and Aaron Ramsdale are the pair who have been selected.
It will be a blow for the Gers number one given his form and the fact that the pair who have bee selected aren’t exactly setting the heather alight, in fact, Ramsdale has barely played since the new year.
He has proved more than a few doubters wrong both north and south of the border though, another couple of trophies and a few more games in the Europa League and Southgate might have to rethink his plans.
