Nottingham Forest threw new goalkeeper Matz Sels right into their starting line up after failing in a January bid for Rangers star Jack Butland.
The Premier League side turned their attentions to £6m signing Sels, who had been captaining Ligue 1 club Strasbourg ahead of the move.
Being beaten by Justin Kluivert just five minutes into his debut against Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest went on to equalise through Calum Hudson-Odoi in a 1-1 draw.
But as Matz Sels goes straight in as Nottingham Forest number one, it’s interesting to consider that after years of waiting on his Premier League chance, Jack Butland remained at Rangers.
Jack Butland misses Nottingham Forest chance
Whilst there’s been no suggestion that the England Euro 2024 hopeful wanted to move back down south, Jack Butland has spent the last few seasons propping up Premier League benches.
Having played second fiddle to a number of goalkeepers at Crystal Palace, Butland never played a game whilst out on loan at boyhood club Manchester United last season.
In fact, you’d have to go back to the 19/20 season to when the now Rangers goalkeeper played a full season as a number one, turning out in the Championship with Stoke City.
You have to go back six years ago to the 17/18 season to see Jack Butland turn out as a number one in the Premier League, again wearing the red and white of the Potters.
Now rebuilding his career at Ibrox, it’s not until the stopper has moved to Scotland that he’s been given his Premier League chance and England’s loss is very much our gain.
Clement talks Rangers transfer bid
Rangers manager Philippe Clement was speaking about potential Nottingham Forest interest in Jack Butland over the weekend.
Claiming that any offer made for the goalkeeper didn’t land on his desk, the Rangers boss revealed that Butland wasn’t the only of his players who attracted interest in January.
“Nobody called me,” said Clement. “But they don’t call me about these things.
“It’s not important, another positive point is that in January in general there were players who could go somewhere else and make a new step to interesting competitions and teams but they wanted to stay.
“So I think it’s also a big evolution for sure three months ago they wanted to leave. They feel they are in a good story and can do something special together.
“In that way, I am really happy about this January also. Sometimes players use every emotional reason why they want to go.
“It was the opposite because there were a few offers but the players said I want to stay at Rangers.”
Jack Butland has made 37 appearances for Rangers this season, conceding 28 goals and keeping 19 clean sheets.
