Jack Butland made his customary outstanding save for Rangers against Benfica last night but, unfortunately, there was little he could do about Rafa Silva’s second half strike.
If the 31-year old was disappointed not to be called up to the England squad by Gareth Southgate, he didn’t let it show as he produced his normal, calm and collected performance.
It is a kick in the teeth for Jack Butland, who remains optimistic of a recall, but Rangers fans will now start to worry that Southgate’s decision could have unfortunate consequences.
Is a Jack Butland exit a genuine concern for Rangers?
There was a collective rage from the Light Blues support when England’s squad was announced.
Of the three keepers picked, two are fighting relegation battles and one has been sitting on the bench for almost the entirety of 2024.
Hardly the mentality needed for a country looking to compete at the sharp end of the tournament.
Gers boss Philippe Clement was as surprised as the 50,000 in Ibrox that Jack Butland didn’t get the nod but the gaffer will be hoping that his number one doesn’t see Scottish football as holding him back.
Looking back to when he signed, the prestige and pull of Rangers seemed to be a deciding factor:
“I’m over the moon. The club speaks for itself. No matter where you are in football, you know about Rangers Football Club. This is a huge opportunity for me, and I’m delighted to be here.
“I feel great and motivated at the age that I am, and I feel excited at what the future holds. Doing that at a club that is equally as passionate about winning and being at the top was huge for me.”
There was a bid knocked back from Nottingham Forest in January with Rangers believed to value Jack Butland around the £10-15m mark.
Should that sort of bid come in again, it would be hard to turn it down.
For Butland though, it sounds like, after years of fighting relegation and playing for mid-table sides, he wants to win trophies.
He will believe that he is good enough to get the England number one shirt but it is clear that he won’t be given that opportunity at Rangers.
The question is, at this stage of his career, what is his priority?
If the money is right, he might not get the choice.
