Rangers legend Graeme Souness has opened up on his admiration for the ‘top class’ Jack Butland with the former England goalkeeper backed to earn a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024.
If you were to rank Rangers’ finest signings since their return to the Scottish Premiership in 2016, Jack Butland would be – if not at the very top of the list – then certainly worthy of a place on the podium.
The experienced shot-stopper has the most clean sheets in Scotland. And, without his heroics between the sticks, Philippe Clement’s side might not be in such a strong position, Saturday’s shock home defeat to Motherwell notwithstanding.
That Rangers have a European clash with Benfica to look forward to this week also has much to do with Butland’s stunning performances during the Europa League group-stages, with Ibrox icon Souness full of praise for the impact the 30-year-old has made since crossing Hadrian’s Wall.
Rangers legend hails Jack Butland
“Jack Butland is a top goalkeeper,” Souness tells the Daily Mail. “And I personally think, because I live in England and watch more English games than Scottish games, he should be in the mix for going to the Euros.
“I think he’s every bit as good as any England goalkeeper that’s out there at the moment, if not better. (Everton’s Jordan) Pickford is in the box seat so it’s his shirt for the moment. But Jack is a top-class performer.”
Another former Rangers favourite – ex-skipper Barry Ferguson – struck a similarly adoring tone a few days earlier, insisting that there is nothing between Butland and England’s current number one Pickford.
Souness, meanwhile, goes a little further. He suggests that Butland – who had a brief and forgettable loan spell at Old Trafford last term – has everything in his locker to have become a regular at Manchester United.
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“Some fool gave me some stick when I said I was amazed that he’s not at a Manchester United or a Liverpool, or one of the really big clubs and playing for England,” adds Souness, who championed the appointment of Frank Lampard as manager before Clement’s arrival in the autumn.
“Well, Rangers should be jumping up and down that they have a goalkeeper of his quality because I really believe he should be in the England mix. He is a top goalkeeper.
“You don’t win any trophies without a proper goalkeeper. And in many ways, being a goalkeeper at Rangers, Celtic or any big football club – where you dominate the ball and are on the front foot all the time – you have to be fully concentrated.
“Jack has done that. He does that.”
Butland has frequently been the subject of glowing praise not only from Clement but from many of his opposite numbers. Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes ruefully hailed his stellar contribution as Rangers come from behind to beat the Ayrshire outfit 2-1 last week.
