Dan Bardell has urged Jack Butland to stay with Rangers despite calls for him to depart Ibrox after not featuring in the England squad for the European Championships.
Gareth Southgate announced his provisional squad (21 May) which featured four goalkeepers but the Gers’ shot-stopper wasn’t one of those.
After a superb season in the Scottish Premiership, there was hope that he would be called up but this was not the case.
This has reignited discussion that could see Butland move away from Ibrox to realise a return to the England set-up.
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell believes that he is in great form and should stay with Rangers to maintain that rather than leave.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, Bardell said: “It depends what his priority is. Is his priority being in the England squad? Or is it playing every week for a great club with great support who will probably be in Europe next season?
“He’s rebuilt his career at Rangers. Southgate name-checked him so he’s on his mind but I am surprised he wasn’t included. He should stay at Rangers, he’s on to a good thing.
“He might think if I was in the Premier League would I get called up, it depends how important that is to him. There’s no space for a new goalkeeper in the Premier League. I’d look around at what I do have right now which is very positive.“
Jack Butland should stay at Rangers
Butland joined Rangers on a free transfer after falling out of favour with Crystal Palace and a bizarre loan spell with Manchester United.
The Englishman was famed for his spells with Birmingham and Stoke City but after the Potters were relegated, he struggled in the Championship.
He rediscovered his touch with the Gers which has seen him become one of their most important players over the past year.
There is already a massive re-build on for Philippe Clement with the list of departures from Ibrox being lengthy this summer.
Losing Butland could prove to be something that the Light Blues struggle to deal with depending on the fee they can accrue for him.
On one hand, he could help fund more signings during the window but his output in terms of match-winning saves may be hard to replace.
He has found the form of his career at Ibrox and even though not being selected for England is frustrating, isn’t career-defining.
