Jack Butland shares new Rangers message amid Ibrox uncertainty
Russell Martin may still want a replacement for Jack Butland this summer after Rangers missed out on their top goalkeeping target.
Butland’s superb first season at Ibrox gave way to much shakier campaign last time out, with a series of uncharacteristic errors leading some Rangers fans to demand that the 32-year-old be sold this summer.
Barry Ferguson even dropped Butland to the bench in favour of Liam Kelly for several key games of his interim spell in charge of the Light Blues, and Martin had at least one eye on doing the same next season.
Rangers had sought an alternative to Butland in the form of Brighton keeper Carl Rushworth this summer, and Martin was pushing to complete a loan deal for Rushworth as part of his summer overhaul at Ibrox.
Paul Robinson told Football Insider there was no guarantee of Rushworth displacing Butland in Rangers’ first-choice XI, but Martin won’t get the chance to make that call after the 24-year-old joined Coventry City instead.
Butland praises ‘cracking photo’ from Rangers v Panathinaikos
With Rangers’ move for Rushworth at a dead end, Martin started Butland between the sticks for Rangers’ first competitive match of the new season in their Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos.
Butland and Rangers’ new-look defence weathered an early storm before taking the lead through Findlay Curtis early in the second half, before new arrival Djeidi Gassama sealed the win with a goal on his debut.
Rangers therefore head into the second leg on 30 July with a two-goal lead and clean sheet in the bag for Butland, who posted on his Instagram story (24 July) after he was given the nod to start by Martin.
Butland shared an image taken from behind his goal by freelance photographer Ewan Bootman, and said; “cracker of a pic” to thank him for it.
Rangers ready new signings after Butland passes first test
Football Insider Verdict
Rangers‘ owners 49ers Enterprises have been busy scouting goalkeepers across Europe this summer, but much of that attention has instead been focused on Leeds United with Lyon’s Lucas Perri inbound.
The Light Blues are looking further forward for the time being with a huge £10million loan-to-buy offer for Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi rejected, as the 49ers start to show their financial strength.
Butland begins the new season with a clean sheet and a cloud over his future, but with both the former England goalkeeper and the reliable Kelly among his options at present, it’s unsurprising to see Martin targeting other areas.