Jack Butland has the potential to be the greatest Rangers goalkeeper of all time according to club historian David Mason.
Speaking as part of a special UEFA feature on the legendary number one jersey at Ibrox, Jack Butland was front and centre of the segment.
Rangers have had a long string of legendary goalkeepers come through the doors at Ibrox and the club’s current number one has made a bright start.
Following in the footsteps of Rangers legend Allan McGregor, Jack Butland has been a stand-out performer for the side this season.
But according to David Mason, should the England international hopeful stick around he could surpass even Greegsy as the club’s best ever stopper.
Ibrox stopper “has it all”
If there is anyone who is in a good position to judge Rangers players past and present then it is David Mason.
The club’s official historian, the Ibrox staffer knows all about the famous names who’ve worn the jersey.
But whilst the likes of Allan McGregor, Andy Goram, Stefan Klos and Chris Woods will be the first who come to mind, David Mason believes Jack Butland has what it takes to best them all.
“Jack Butland seems to have it all,” said David Mason. “He’s a tall goalkeeper, he’s very athletic, he’s good with the ball at his feet.
“He’s made some vital stops in Europe this year. It’s very early stages in his career but he’s got the potential to be the best of the lot.”
Jack Butland: the Rangers Goalkeeper
Jack Butland also spoke as part of the special feature, which was released ahead of Rangers’ Europa League decider against Real Betis.
If the Ibrox side are to progress in Spain, then Jack Butland will have to be at his best even with a series of injuries looming over the La Liga side.
Speaking about what it means to take up the mantle as Ibrox number one, the 30-year-old claims he’s ready to step up when it matters most.
“I think it means a hell of a lot,” said Jack Butland. “The history that sort of comes with it, the keepers that have come before, there’s just expectation with it.
“Being a Rangers goalie, it’s a calmness, it’s about being in control, it’s about coming up with the big moment.
“And that’s ultimately what being a Rangers goalie is being all about.
“If you want to play at the top and you want to win it’s about the big moments and making the save when it matters, when the team needs it most.”
Second half of goalie’s career
The Rangers goalkeeper has also been talking about his ambitions at Ibrox, with the popular Jack Butland ready to grab the opportunity in Glasgow by the horns.
Once one of the most highly-rated young goalkeepers in the English game, earning nine caps for the Three Lions national team, the last few seasons have been challenging.
Without an England cap since 2018 and a back-up stopper at Crystal Palace and then boyhood club Manchester United, Jack Butland is focused on entering the second half of his career at Ibrox.
“This is a huge part of my career now with this club,” said Butland.
“I feel like I’ve got a real opportunity to kickstart this next chapter of my career, the second half if you like, and be successful again.”
Jack Butland has been an ever present for Rangers this season, making 28 appearances and keeping 13 clean sheets.
