GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: A general view during the pre-season friendly match between Rangers and Newcastle at Ibrox Stadium on July 18, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Jack Butland has dismissed the inescapable interest from transfer teams and stated he has no plans to quit Rangers.
Since joining the Light Blues last summer, the goalie has impressed both Michael Beale and Philippe Clement. However, since Nottingham Forest attempted to bring him back to England in January, there has been growing concern that his time at Ibrox may not last more than a year.
However, the 31-year-old has reaffirmed his commitment to the Light Blues, saying that the move north was an “easy decision” and a “no-brainer”, with the subsequent season only making it “more and more the right decision”.
Butland won the Viaplay Cup earlier this season while there remains a chance he could add SPFL and Scottish Cup medals before the campaign concludes, and the Englishman has suggested he could stay in Glasgow for the duration of his contract as he plans to add more silverware.
He said, via the Daily Record (1 May): “I signed a four year contract with beliefs of winning things and winning lots of trophies – that hasn’t changed in my mind. Ultimately in football when you do perform well, there’s always going to be noise and there’s always going to be talk.
Right now, I’m enjoying my time here and am totally committed to succeeding and staying that way. My whole focus is solely on the Rangers Football Club.
In reference to the Forest proposal, he continued, saying, “My representative informed me of what was coming in. The club said no right away. “How do you feel about that?” asked my agent, but I also responded “no.” As I mentioned earlier, if you’re doing well, those kinds of things will eventually happen.
“I’m not blowing smoke up my arse, but I’ve been at top clubs in England before. I’ve been in England squads before. I guess that reputation has always been there.
“But then you have to perform. I feel like I’ve done that and that’s always going to put you in conversations. To generate interest means things are going well and things are going to plan.
“That’s what I want to do, I want to play well and if I’m playing well, those conversations will happen. As I’ve said, I’m happy here and I’m loving my time here.”
Rangers stay on the cards for former Crystal Palace keeper
Keeping Butland at Ibrox through what promises to be a busy summer for Clement gives the Belgian a vital point to build from, with question marks over every area of his squad.
The former England international staying might make funding another overhaul harder given a fee of more than £20million has been suggested, but finding a replacement for him would have been a challenge in itself.
Robby McCrorie’s lengthy tenure with the club will undoubtedly come to an end if he stays for the upcoming year, as the 26-year-old will be permanently relegated to the lower echelons of the Ibrox hierarchy.
Any member of the Rangers team might theoretically be acquired for the proper price, but Butland’s remarks seem very definitive—possibly even more so than those of fellow star James Tavernier, who is also rumored to be leaving the team.
There aren’t many Rangers players right now who would be guaranteed to make it through the manager’s anticipated clearout, but Butland is probably a near-universal pick, so if he plans to be around for the long run, it seems like a huge plus for the team.
