Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson admits he had concerns about the arrival of Jack Butland but the goalkeeper’s stellar Scottish Premiership showings have won over an Ibrox icon who now places himself alongside some of the club’s greatest glovesmen.
If ever there was a moment which epitomised the impact Jack Butland has made north of the border, it was this.
Kilmarnock were already 1-0 up against Philippe Clement’s side in midweek and threatening a second, only a sprawling, point-blank stop from the England international preventing the hosts from doubling their lead. Inside four second-half minutes, goals from James Tavernier and Tom Lawrence had turned a deficit into a potentially decisive three points in the title race.
A comeback which would not have been possible without Butland’s heroics at the other end.
Jack Butland inspiring Rangers’ Premiership title charge
“Really good goalkeepers can be trusted to pull off 99 per cent of the saves expected of them. But the truly great keepers make the ones that are not (expected). And guys like that don’t come around too often,” Ferguson tells the Daily Record.
“If Butland doesn’t make that save, then Rangers would have had to score twice just to get out of Rugby Park with a point.
“And when Rangers signed him last summer I admit, there was a question mark in my mind.”
You can understand Ferguson’s concerns. Butland had barely kicked a ball in anger during the previous few seasons after all, and arrived having not made a single appearance during a loan spell at Manchester United.
Seven months after one of the most inspired free signings in modern Rangers history, however, Ferguson could not be happier to admit that his fears have been dispelled.
As good as Jordan Pickford
“In fact, I’m not afraid to say Butland is right up there with (Andy) Goram, (Stefan) Klos and (Allan) McGregor as one of the best Rangers keepers I’ve seen in my lifetime,” Ferguson adds, insisting that Butland must be part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024 with there very little to separate him from the Three Lions’ £30 million number one.
“No-one is going to tell me that he’s not every bit as good or better than the likes of Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Sam Johnstone or Nick Pope.”
Butland, who is also a major reason why Rangers have a Europa League clash with Benfica to look forward to, has comfortably the most clean sheets in the Premiership with 17.
He will hope to make it 18 when Rangers – two points clear of Old Firm rivals Celtic – face Motherwell on Satuday.
