
One Rangers mistake killed my career at Ibrox but Jack Butland can be reborn under Russell Martin
Butland has been tipped to come back better than ever by one former Gers stopper
Ten years on, Cammy Bell has no trouble pin-pointing the exact moment his Rangers career suffered its fatal blow.
It came the fateful second he allowed his horrid Fir Park fumble to squirm over the line, killing off the Ibrox side's Premiership promotion bid in the process.
Try as he might, it's a howler he's not been allowed to wipe from the memory banks even a decade on. But the former Gers No.1 reckons the Ibrox faithful could be convinced to forgive and forget the many mistakes that blighted Jack Butland 's calamitous campaign last year.
There may have been no way back for Bell after punching Marvin Johnson's speculative play-off final strike into his own net but he believes Butland can be reborn under Russell Martin.
Bell said: 'As goalkeeper, it can be massively difficult to regain that trust after a big mistake. You're always reminded of those moments and Jack will have that too.
'He needs to get over it and I'm pretty sure he has. He recognises he's had a difficult season but that's probably the most important thing, he acknowledges it's happened.
'It's about how he rectifies that, how he gets back to the training ground and how hard he works. The only way he can turn it around is by getting back in the team and playing consistently because that's how you restore faith in yourself.
'We know Jack can do it. He's just had a bad period. As a goalkeeper when you go through that rut, it generally comes in twos, threes and fours.
'We saw it with Allan McGregor in his last season. He had a lot of mistakes and there were question marks over him. But he got on with it, making some incredible European displays that season.
'Jack will be working really hard this summer because he'll want to be Rangers No1. He'll want to start the season well. He's got a new opportunity with a new manager as well. So it's a big summer for Jack.'
Bell wasn't given that chance to reset and go again in summer 2015.
A 6-1 play-off mauling by Motherwell over two games spelled the end of Stuart McCall's reign as Rangers boss – and his stint as the Light Blues' first-choice goalie.
Mark Warburton came in, bringing Wes Foderingham with him. Every Rangers fan will remember the new verve the Englishman introduced as his team finally completed the journey back to the top flight.
But not many will know the big contributing factor to Bell's nightmare in front of Well's north stand.
He said: 'I actually played with an injury. I needed an operation, so it was a double-dunter for me in terms of the next season. I'd made a mistake and needed an op.
'I played the Motherwell game while needing injections to get through that game. I had a micro fracture in my knee. I had to go for an op then a six-month long rehab. It was about August before I actually got the operation.
'But really, when I reflect back now, did the Motherwell mistake kill my Rangers career? It absolutely did.
'But I also didn't have the opportunity to go straight back in and play a game. Wes came in and was fantastic for Rangers. Goalkeepers are never allowed to forget these things. I still get reminded of it to this day.
'So it was difficult. A hard period for me but you understand. You deal with these things. When I speak to young goalkeepers, I try to pass on my experiences. There's tough times in the game.
'We had a young Scotland goalkeeper Cieran Slicker making a debut, having a tough time recently.
'You feel for these guys because you've been there. It's a difficult, lonely place but over time, you learn from it, you get over it.
'Jack's in a different scenario to my one. He's made a few mistakes. Of course he knows that himself.
'But he's got the opportunity to work hard pre-season, become Russell Martin's No.1 and prove to Rangers fans he's good enough.'
However, it might not be Butland's call. And as one of Rangers' highest earners, there's little chance Martin and his Ibrox chiefs will have such a costly asset sitting on the bench.
Asked if he'd have to be sold if he can't win back his jersey from Liam Kelly or a replacement shot-stopper, the pundit said: 'Yeah, the people upstairs will be having that discussion with Russell, is he still the No.1?
'I'm hoping Jack does get the opportunity, he's good enough. Does Jack fit into that mould of being able to play out of the back? Is he comfortable enough with his feet? Or has he identified a goalkeeper who would be better suited to that style of play?
'But Jack's a top goalkeeper and he certainly can be No1. He needs to prove it. I'm pretty sure he's looking forward to the task.'
● Bell was launching the Refugee World Cup Scotland tournament, that's on Sunday, June 29 at Toryglen Regional Football Centre.

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