‘Jack Butland finished at Rangers amid surprise Aaron Ramsdale reveal’
Russell Martin appears to be considering a raid of his former Southampton team as Jack Butland continues to struggle for form at Rangers.
The 32-year-old was a key figure during Philippe Clement‘s first season at Ibrox, keeping a total of 20 clean sheets in 58 appearances across all competitions.
Supporters finally felt like the No.1 spot had been filled by a talented goalkeeper, who could remain between the sticks for the next few seasons, but all of that seems to have changed.
With the Gers struggling throughout the 2024/25 season, especially in the Scottish Premiership title race, Clement was sacked and replaced by Barry Ferguson, and the poor performances affected some more than others.
Butland experienced a string of awful mistakes for Rangers, leading to fans wanting the shot-stopper sold in the summer, and a disastrous error in the 2-0 defeat to Hibernian in April was the final straw.
Jack Butland surely ready to fight for his spot at Rangers
Ferguson dropped the former Stoke City man for Liam Kelly for six matches, including key clashes with Athletic Club in the Europa League quarter-finals, and it was a huge decision.
The goalkeeper’s future at Ibrox is likely to hinge on that very decision, even with Martin now in charge, as he attempts to turn the club’s fortunes around under new ownership.
Football Insider understands that Martin will keep Butland at Rangers should he prove himself in pre-season, with finding a replacement ‘keeper not on the agenda quite yet.
However, that may be about to change as the manager’s previous spell at St Mary’s Stadium sees the Light Blues linked with a talented, under-appreciated, and rather unlucky shot-stopper.
Southampton open to Aaron Ramsdale exit this summer
According to talkSPORT (23 June), the Gers and Galatasaray have joined the race to sign Aaron Ramsdale on loan after the Saints were relegated back to the Championship last season.
It is understood that the club are willing to allow the player to leave this summer, with the goalkeeper currently one of the highest earners on £100,000 a week.
Lining up a new signing in between the sticks would indicate a worrying sign for Butland, who has continued to come under tremendous pressure from a frustrated fanbase at Ibrox.
Ramsdale has plenty of experience with Southampton and Arsenal, is just 27 years of age, and may be able to join on limited wages should the Saints cover part of that in the deal.
This just spells trouble for the current ‘keeper, and Martin has a very difficult decision to make. Having worked with Ramsdale during his time on the south coast, it makes a loan move all the more likely this summer.