If Gareth Southgate had had any doubts about Jack Butland, his a-grade display v Benfica was about as good a way to dispel them, as Rangers’ number one delivered on his burgeoning reputation with a stellar performance, beaten only by a brilliant penalty and an OG.
Butland is a shoe-in to get the call this month for England’s friendly double-header, and outings like that against the best team in Portugal will only have enhanced his reputation and standing.
If Michael Beale did one thing right for Rangers, it was getting this guy. Of course, his CV spoke for itself – almost 100 Premier League appearances, 9 caps for England, and a career which had clearly been suppressed by arrogant managers believing Butland didn’t have what it took.
For once, Michael Beale had the foresight to see something as plain as the nose on your face – that Butland was a potentially world class (does he go that high?) goalkeeper being completely ignored by Man Utd, by his parent club Crystal Palace and by most other clubs in England.
He snapped the lad up and the rest is history, but even he couldn’t have foreseen how good Butland would be for Rangers.
It’s safe to say Jack Butland is the first truly Rangers-level player this club has had since the end of the Walter Smith era.
Aside, obviously, the returns of both Allan McGregor and Steven Davis, plus the signing of Scotty Arfield (a much, MUCH better player than his exit deserved), Butland stands alone as being a real Rangers player in an era of pretenders.
The type our club deserves, expects, and should have.
And he showed it again in Lisbon, where if Gareth Southgate had any second thoughts about including the boy, they sure ended.
Benfica would, with all being pure and holy, be a top 10 Premier League team. We’re not saying they’d be part of the big 6 or 4, but they’re a strong side with world class players. The Portuguese Primeira Liga is a very strong league, if not quite a top 5 league and Benfica (and Porto) are its best offerings.
And for Butland to offer that level against such a side with Rangers’ defence being a mite frail at times, it just rammed home his case for inclusion.
Butland is easily among the best goalies England has.
It would be a crime if he’s not called up.