If one player has been unfairly criticised this season, it’s Jack Butland. Ibrox Noise was extremely harsh on the former England stopper from March 24 onwards, when his form nosedived, but season 25/26 has been far more like it from him. And Jack Butland Rangers contract talk has come up.
Only quibble is a lot of Rangers fans haven’t agreed. He’s been slaughtered in places, especially by pundits who should know better, and despite all that flack, he wants to stay.
Contract
His contract is nearing its final year, and Butland wants to extend it.
Rangers aren’t going to find an Allan McGregor again any time soon, and Butland has been outside of McGregor, by a distance Rangers’ best stopper for 20 years. The competition ain’t strong, in fairness, back in 2006 it was Lionel Letizi for chief’s sake, who was eventually replaced by McGregor.
But that said, there’s been none aside Greegs better than Butland.
On the topic he said:
“It’s something that’s been spoken about at times. I’ve obviously been very eager and well open to extending that. I love the challenge, I love everything about it, I love the way the club’s received me and my family, as well as the fan base. It’s something that starts to creep into your mind when you get towards the end of a contract. But for me, it’s performance driven. I’m hoping to finish the season really strongly and would love to extend that. If it’s not something that’s happening, I’m still going to do my best to the very end.”
We endorse Butland being given a new deal, and we’re surprised to be saying that given how we viewed him 18+ months ago. He’s been strong this season, overall Rangers’ best player, give or take.
Stats
He’s saved the most penalties in the SPL, 4, and is second for clean sheets with 12. He ranks second for saves inside the box with 67 and is top for running out, with 23.
In short, despite Rangers fans’ criticisms of him this term, he’s the overall best goalie in the top flight.
While Ibrox Noise has not always loved Butland, we cannot see why he deserves criticism this season. He’s made a few errors, yes, but he’s bailed Rangers out many times.
Not least at Parkhead – Butland was the reason we won that one, not Chermiti. And certainly not Rohl.
So yes, for Jack Butland Rangers contract, we’d give him another year.