England manager Gareth Southgate will let Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland know his Three Lions fate just hours before the Europa League visit of Benfica.
The Gers are set to welcome the Portuguese giants to Glasgow ahead of a hotly anticipated Europa League Round of 16 decider at the famous Ibrox Stadium.
With the match neatly poised at 2-2 the game certainly hangs in the balance and all eyes will be on Govan come 5:45pm on Thursday evening.
But in the hours leading up to the match, reports have suggested that Jack Butland might just have an eye on his phone and a call-up to the England squad.
Jack Butland to find out England fate
According to the Metro, Gareth Southgate is set to name his England squad for the upcoming friendlies with Brazil and Belgium on Thursday (14/03) afternoon at 2pm.
This is just shy of four hours before Rangers will take to the field against Benfica on Europa League duties and adds an extra dynamic to Jack Butland’s preparations.
Whilst we’re sure the Rangers goalkeeper will be laser-focused on producing another top performance against Benfica any call-up would represent a monumental boost.
Jack Butland is right in the England discussion with reports suggesting a call-up is likely, whilst Gareth Southgate has praised the keeper’s resurgence at Rangers.
Rangers goalkeeper on verge of history?
It’s been over five years since nine-times capped Jack Butland was in an England squad and after celebrating his 31st birthday this week a call-up would be a real testament to his progress at Rangers.
The stopper has been one of the signings of the season and has put in a succession of stellar performances which have acted as the foundation of the club’s resurgence under Philippe Clement.
The England goalkeeper has been clear he’d welcome a call-up with open arms, but Butland faces stiff competition from the likes of Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), and Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace) ahead of Euro 2024.
If Jack Butland is called up to the England squad, he will be the first active Rangers player since Paul Gascoigne to be called up for Three Lions’ duty.
Speaking of international call-ups, one of Butland’s Rangers teammates is celebrating a recall to his national team’s squad.
