Rangers legend John Brown has questioned Manchester United’s decision to let Jack Butland go and fork out for Andre Onana.
The Ibrox icon, 62, was heaping the praise on the England Euro 2024 international hopeful after a storming start to his Rangers career.
Jack Butland joined Rangers in the summer following the expiration of his contract at Crystal Palace, the goalkeeper having spent the last few months of his contract at Manchester United.
Whilst the keeper never played for his boyhood heroes, John Brown has questioned United’s decision to let Jack Butland go and claims he’s more than good enough to play at Old Trafford.
John Brown: Jack Butland is Manchester United quality
Speaking at a special promotional event for the Rangers Youth Development Company, John Brown has waxed lyrical about Jack Butland.
With Manchester United stalwart David de Gea leaving the Premier League club in the summer, the Red Devils splashed out a reported £47.2m to sign Andre Onana to replace him.
But the Rangers 9IAR legend reckons the Gers have gotten a snip on Jack Butland, suggesting the stopper is every inch as good if not better than the Cameroonian.
“I was always a fan of Butland,” said Brown. “I was surprised he never got more minutes down south.
“When I look at the English Premier League there’s a lot of goalkeepers down there that I’d say Jack Butland is better than.
“He was at Manchester United and for me was their first choice goalkeeper. If I was going for a steady goalkeeper, then Jack Butland would be my choice. The fact we got him is fantastic for the club.”
Rangers legend discusses impact of goalkeeper
John Brown has also been comparing Jack Butland to the legendary line of goalkeepers Rangers have been blessed with through the years.
Claiming that having a good goalkeeper is central to a team’s success, the Ibrox legend has claimed that Butland will be central to the team’s hopes this season.
“The biggest thing you need is a quality goalkeeper and Rangers have that,” said Butland. “That’s half the battle.
“You can be an excellent centre back or full back, but if your goalkeeper is not to a level of an Allan McGregor, an Andy Goram or a Stefan Klos, guys I worked with, then it’s not so easy.
“Butland is an international goalkeeper. He’s fresh, he’s not had a great deal of minutes in the previous seasons. But you can see his quality. When you see him coming out, he gives the backline a reassurance that they don’t need to be too deep.
“With some keepers I played with, without mentioning names, we would be going deeper to protect them rather than have faith that if there’s going to be a shot from 25 yards we’re comfortable they can make the save. He has been probably one of Rangers’ best players this season.”
Jack Butland has made 39 appearances since joining the Gers in the summer, conceding 29 goals and keeping 20 clean sheets.
