Credit: Imago
Credit: Imago

Jack Butland 'first out the door' at Rangers - Fans explode after Hibs 'howler'

Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on

Jack Butland was in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons as Rangers fell to a 2-0 defeat to Hibernian on Saturday.

The goalkeeper was one of Philippe Clement's shining stars at Rangers last season, often picking up the Man of the Match award and making several key saves as the Gers reached the Europa League round of 16.

His massive drop in form this season, however, has left the Ibrox faithful absolutely stunned by how this could be the same shot-stopper from last season, now making mistake after mistake.

Butland was savaged by Rangers fans after the defeat to Motherwell, and even having been the hero against Fenerbahce in the Europa League, the former Man United man is back in the bad books at Ibrox.

Jack Butland blunder sparks Hibernian victory at Ibrox

It was a bright start from the visitors at Ibrox, made even better by Dylan Levitt's opener after just eight minutes. The Welshman attempted an audacious strike from outside the box, but it turned out to be a problem.

Whether Butland was unsighted or just didn't have his head in the game yet, he allowed the shot to squirm under his body, adding fuel to the fire of fans already wanting him sold this summer.

Martin Boyle capitalised on more poor defending in the second half, breaking the offside trap to break in behind, and slotting underneath the on-rushing Butland on a one-on-one.

While that was not the keeper's fault at all, his blunder in the opening minutes set to tone at Ibrox, with supporters only getting on his back more after yet another mistake in between the sticks.

Jack Butland's 2024/25 Scottish Premiership campaignStats, as per FotMob
Games played (minutes)26 (2340)
Goals conceded28
Errors leading to goal2
Saves58
Clean sheets10

Ibrox faithful want Rangers goalkeeper sold this summer

The supporters have finally run out of patience for the 32-year-old shot-stopper, who continues to make errors in judgment and blunders in between the sticks, and very costly ones at that.

One fan has stated that Butland must be the "first out the door" once the summer transfer window opens, with multiple others labelling him an "absolute liability" after yet another blunder.

With Liam Kelly on the bench, some are wondering what else needs to happen for Ferguson to change the goalkeepers, especially with a key European tie coming up soon.

www.footballinsider247.com