Former Premier League goalkeeper Jack Butland cut a forlorn figure as he scooped the Rangers ball out of the net against Aris Limassol.
This was after the latest defensive nonsense in a long line of them which has belied the 30-year-old’s genuinely impressive start to life at Ibrox.
The biggest compliment that Rangers fans can pay Jack Butland is that his Premier League prowess has meant a seamless transition from club legend Allan McGregor.
But – rather depressingly – Rangers fans have had to witness the talents of the stopper far too often already this season and it’s for that reason the club will do well to keep a hold of him.
Jack Butland might hold himself like the ideal Rangers professional but with the calamity performances of the defence in front of him the former Premier League star must be wondering what he signed up for.
Premier League temptation may come for talented Jack Butland
Rangers have been hopeless defensively this season and if he hadn’t been for the heroics of the ex-Stoke City, Crystal Palace and Manchester United stopper it might’ve been even worse.
A player and person of genuine class, report have previously suggested that Rangers do not expect the goalkeeper to see out the four-year contract he signed in the summer.
But at this rate Rangers will be lucky to keep Butland beyond the January transfer window with potential Premier League interest potentially enough to entice the stopper out of Ibrox.
If things were going right at Rangers I’d bank on us getting at least two years out of a goalkeeper who wants to play regularly and who wants to taste success.
But with shambles after shambles in front of him on the pitch, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Jack Butland twist Rangers’ metaphorical arm if the Premier League came calling.
Given the substantial lack of leadership in the Rangers ranks this season, such a scenario probably doesn’t bear thinking about.
