Jack Butland posts farewell message after confirmed exit news
Rangers star Jack Butland had a simple message for a former team-mate after his club released a heartfelt goodbye message.
Butland and Rangers are almost at the end of a campaign to forget at Ibrox, with the Premiership title wrapped up by Celtic several weeks ago and the Gers set for a second trophyless season in the last three.
The former England international’s undisputed place between the sticks at Rangers has come under threat this season, with 13 appearances made by Liam Kelly amid injuries and losses of form for Butland.
Rangers are set for a summer of change once 49ers Enterprises take charge at Ibrox next month, Butland will be one of several players expected to have to fight for their place as part of a widespread squad rebuild.
Crystal Palace announcement sparks Jack Butland response
Rangers brought Butland north of the border on a free transfer in 2023 after three largely inactive seasons with Crystal Palace, of which the 32-year-old spent the last six months on loan at Manchester United.
Across his three-year spell at Selhurst Park, Butland made a mere 17 appearances in all competitions and just nine in the Premier League, a far cry from the 362 made in 13 seasons by Palace legend Joel Ward.
Palace posted on Instagram (13 May) to announce that their captain Ward will leave the club this summer at the age of 35, 13 years after his arrival from Portsmouth for just £400,000 back in 2012.
Butland shared Palace’s post on his own Instagram story and summed up his verdict of Ward in three words, saying: “What a man”.
Butland to be one of few survivors in Rangers rebuild
It’s unclear where Ward’s career will turn to next once his Palace contract expires, but it’s unlikely he’ll join Butland at Ibrox as Rangers’ new owners prepare to launch a significant overhaul of the existing squad.
Football Insider revealed last month that 49ers Enterprises want to build a new-look Rangers side around young players like Hamza Igamane and Nico Raskin, with veterans like Butland set to fight for their places.
Some fans want to see Butland sold as part of the 49ers’ rebuild, and after Football Insider revealed that Rangers’ next manager will be given £25million to spend this summer, and upgrade in the goalkeeper department is not out of the question.