Latest news with #Butland
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
The 3 goalkeeping options facing Rangers as Russell Martin can stick, twist or clear the decks
Jack Butland faced flak last season and was even dropped so is he the man to help lead the 49ers' revolution? New Rangers boss Russell Martin's to-do list is as long as his arm. And when it comes to overhauling his squad - one of his first big decisions will be on who's best at using their hands. Martin is already starting to assess players who are already on the books at Ibrox. And when any new gaffer takes over a team, they invariably start at the back. There are very few successful sides who don't have a top shotstopper as their number one. And this summer at Rangers, it's definitely up for debate as to who will fill that jersey. The pool of players at Ibrox needs revamped after yet another dismal campaign where they played second fiddle to Old Firm rivals Celtic. Martin will want a new centre-back, a central midfielder, a full-back, a winger and a striker. That will be the MINIMUM requirement. But before all of that, they'll have to make a choice when it comes to their keeper. And there will be three options available to him. Here, Record Sport examines each of them. 1. Keep Jack Butland as number one The very thought of the Englishman NOT being between the sticks for Rangers a year ago would have sent a shiver down the spine of supporters. But after a campaign littered with individual errors, it's a genuine question as to whether he starts under a new gaffer as first-choice. Butland was a revelation when he arrived in Glasgow. In Clement's first season, when Rangers were top of the Premiership and challenging for the title, he was the best keeper in the country. Butland looked like a ready-made Rangers player, on and off the pitch. Supporters chanted his name every week and he won all of the club's Player of the Year awards. Fans were actually fearing a monster bid of more than £10million might result in them losing him to the Premier League. But the 32-year-old dropped his level this term and it cost his side goals. High-profile mistakes in games against Motherwell, St Mirren, Dundee and Hibs contributed to Rangers dropping points - and ultimately failing to put up a serious fight against Celtic. Butland was eventually dropped by interim gaffer Barry Ferguson for a vital Europa League tie against Athletic Bilbao - despite his penalty shoot-out heroics in the previous round against Fenerbahce. Liam Kelly was brought in and didn't let the side down. Butland's deputy provided a safe pair of hands when Rangers needed it. But he was reinstated by Ferguson for the last two games of the campaign and it looked like his confidence was back. The big question is though, will he still be in command of the position when a new gaffer is appointed? 2: Make Liam Kelly number one At 29 years old, Kelly is approaching the peak years of his career where he should be vying to be first-pick for club and country. He had to be patient at Rangers after making his return to Ibrox last summer, as understudy to Butland. The move might even have cost him a Scotland spot as, having switched from being Motherwell's number one, he was only a Gers' back-up. But Kelly finally got his chance last season after a series of Butland mistakes led to Rangers losing goals. When Kelly was brought in by Ferguson to face Bilbao, he performed superbly, saving a penalty from the Spaniards which kept Gers in the game. He also looked steady in the Premiership towards the end of the season, especially against Celtic at Ibrox where he made important stops in a 1-1 draw. Kelly - who is an outstanding shot-stopper - has never let anyone down in a Rangers shirt. He's terrific - probably more adept than Butland - with the ball at his feet, which might be crucial to an Ancelotti or Martin coming in as gaffer. He only has a year left on his contract and will already be thinking about his future. For the sake of his career, he has to play first-team games but if Butland remains at Gers, he faces another season on the sidelines. If not? He might just get the shot he craves as the club's undisputed number one. 3: Sign a new Rangers number one It will be up to Butland and Kelly to make an impact in front of their new manager when pre-season starts on June 23. But the danger for both men is that a gaffer, with fresh ideas and cash to spend, might want to bring in his own keeper. Martin might like specific attributes in a goalie that he feels Butland and Kelly lack. If that's the case, it's a problem for Rangers because what do they do with the two shotstoppers who are already there? Butland is an established member of the squad and one of the Ibrox high earners. He's captained the club and is part of their dressing-room leadership group. He also has two years left on his contract so he'd be an expensive sub if he's left kicking his heels on the bench. Rangers would need to look to sell Butland if he's not going to be number one. But after a well below-par season, that might not be easy. Kelly only has 12 months left to run on his deal but if he's kept on, he could potentially be THIRD choice if a new man comes in. If that happens, speculation will begin around potential targets. If it's experience they're after, could they tempt Martin Dubravka to Ibrox from Newcastle? Oh, or Asmir Begovic has just been released by Everton. Or Jason Steele from Brighton? Whatever happens, the new manager will have huge decisions to make - and choosing a goalkeeper will be one of them.
The Herald Scotland
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Barry Ferguson names Rangers XI to face Dundee Utd
Jack Butland has been reinstated to the starting XI after a period on the bench following a series of high-profile errors. Liam Kelly had deputised for Butland since the Englishman was dropped after a 2-0 loss to Hibernian last month. Hamza Igamane also comes in for Rangers with Nedim Bajrami dropping to the bench. Read more: RANGERS XI: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Balogun, Jefte, Barron, Diomande, Raskin, Cerny, Igamane, Dessers. SUBS: Kelly, Propper, Cortes, Lawrence, Bajrami, Kasanwirjo, Rice, Curtis, Danilo.
The National
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Barry Ferguson names Rangers XI to face Dundee Utd
The Ibrox interim boss has made two changes from the Ibrox triumph over Aberdeen at the weekend. Jack Butland has been reinstated to the starting XI after a period on the bench following a series of high-profile errors. Liam Kelly had deputised for Butland since the Englishman was dropped after a 2-0 loss to Hibernian last month. Hamza Igamane also comes in for Rangers with Nedim Bajrami dropping to the bench. Read more: RANGERS XI: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Balogun, Jefte, Barron, Diomande, Raskin, Cerny, Igamane, Dessers. SUBS: Kelly, Propper, Cortes, Lawrence, Bajrami, Kasanwirjo, Rice, Curtis, Danilo.
The National
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Surprise Rangers squad call as Ferguson 'to end player exile'
It's claimed the Ibrox interim manager will select the former Manchester United keeper for the Scottish Premiership clash against Dundee United tonight. (Image: PA) Butland had been taken out of the side after a number of errors with Liam Kelly coming into the starting XI. The nine-time England cap last played for Rangers against Hibs on April 5. He was not involved for Rangers in the Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Bilbao. Read more: But, the Daily Record report that Butland will return this evening in a surprise Ferguson squad change. Both Butland and Kelly are contracted at Rangers for next season as they compete for the No1 spot at Ibrox. Butland is under contract until the summer of 2027 with Kelly entering the final year of his deal in the summer.
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Jack Butland sees 2 Rangers paths drawn out as one time £47m man tipped for ambitious Ibrox move
It's the latest news from all things Ibrox all in one place Jack Butland would have suitors if he decides to leave Rangers - but if he stays he will have a real hunger going into pre-season. That's the verdict of Richard Foster who reckons the England international would have been 'happy' to be taken out of the team after a number of high profile errors. Liam Kelly has since come in under interim boss Barry Ferguson and enjoyed a run in the team with Butland watching on. That included the Europa League quarter-final with Athletic Bilbao and the Old Firm showdown with Celtic. Foster agreed that taking out Butland was for the best and what it will do is spark a real fire in his belly for getting his jersey back come the summer. Speaking on Go Radio, he said: "I think Butland has done all he would need to do in terms of getting a move. "I don't think clubs are going to be 'right, we need a goalkeeper, let's go look at the last three games of the season'. "I think they've already made their mind up and if he is intent on leaving, then I think he will probably have suitors. He will have clubs come in for him. He's a fantastic goalkeeper. "He went through a bit of a rough patch and I agreed with the decision to take him out. "I think sometimes as players - it is not a selfish thing - but you just think you can play through it. But sometimes you just need to be removed from the situation. "I think what you would imagine is you will get a goalkeeper - if he is staying at Rangers - that he is hungry to prove over pre-season that he is going to come back in and be No1. "Then it becomes a good fight between him and Liam Kelly. "But I think deep down and in the cold light of day he was probably happy to be taken out. "He wasn't making mistakes every week. But then he was making quite basic errors for a goalkeeper of his quality. "If he is in the mindset that he wants to leave Rangers, then I think there will be clubs interested in him." Meanwhile, Alan Hutton reckons his old club would not be able to refuse offers in the region of £20million for Hamza Igamane. The attacker broke onto the scene after being used sparingly following his arrival and has shown glimpses of what he has to offer. Former Ibrox star Hutton doesn't think he is quite ready to go down to the EPL and be a regular starter - but he has shown technical ability and is improving weekly. Speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest football odds, Hutton was asked about Igamane and potential interest from North London and while he doesn't want to see him go, he reckons it's a move he couldn't turn down. "If there is a bid of around £20million I think that's something Rangers couldn't turn down. "They've not been great in the past in terms of when players maybe hit their ceiling in terms of value, they've not sold them on. I don't want to see him leave because I think he is a very good player and he's going to get better. But if they get a fee in that kind of region of £20m, I think they would have to take it. "Could Hamza Igamane thrive at Spurs? Yeah, of course. I think an opportunity to move to the Premier League is up there for every player. Everyone wants to play at the highest level possible. "I think that's the toughest league in football at this moment in time and to go to a club like Spurs, although they've not hit the heights this season, they'll be looking to the future. "They want to build. They want to get back up and compete at the higher end of the table. I think that would be a move that would excite any player. "So for him I think that would be a really strong, really good move. I don't want to see him leave, of course, but again, it all comes down to the fee. If that's there on the table, you can't turn that sort of money down." Elsewhere, Hutton reckons Timo Werner could be an instant hit in Scotland's top flight at Rangers. The Germany attacker has played at the top level for Stuttgart, RB Leipzig, Chelsea and Tottenham – famously joining the Blues from Leipzig for £47.5m in 2020. And the Ibrox favourite turned punter reckons his all round game would ensure he would score 'a barrel load' He added: "Would Timo Werner take the Premiership by storm? I'd like to think so. "With the pace that he has, and again, it's no disrespect, I think that the Scottish league has been good this season in terms of the developing teams below it all fighting for different spots, I think it's been good. It's still coming down a level from the Premier League, of course. "You'd be silly not to say that. So you'd like to think with the pace and attributes that he's got, if he can just calm himself down a little bit in front of goal, he could score a barrel load. "If you look at Daizen Maeda, he was very pacy and he struggled at first in terms of his finishing, but that's got much better over the previous seasons. "Just look at the numbers that he's putting up, I think Werner's somebody with those sorts of attributes that could go in and really score a number of goals for a club like Rangers."
