It takes a lot for a player to turn their back on their country but for Rangers number one Jack Butland, it is looking increasingly likely that he has no other option.
The 31-year old has been exceptional since moving to Ibrox and is a key player in Gers boss Philipppe Clement’s squad, there is a reason why a fee of £15m has been mentioned as his transfer valuation.
Rangers would have been immensely proud to see Jack Butland called up for England but the latest news shows why he shouldn’t be doing them any favours, anytime soon.
Rangers keeper Jack Butland given cold shoulder again by England
Gareth Soutgate has moved the goal posts on the Light Blues number one.
Only a matter of weeks ago, the in-form stopper was name dropped by his national team manager as being in contention for a recall.
“It is an issue for us and the situation is up in the air. We have to make sure we’re watching everybody. Jack is included in that because he’s playing at a big club and is an experienced goalkeeper.
“It’s not an ideal situation with Aaron not playing, Sam at the moment not playing and Nick injured. We’ll have to see how that plays out.”
This wasn’t a media led campaign, it came straight from the horses mouth.
Butland’s form saw him being considered as a real contender to backup preferred first choice Jordan Pickford.
And why not?
He has been to three major tournaments already and is a well-respected member of any squad.
With no Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale second choice at Arsenal, Sam Johnstone not having a great season at Crystal Palace and James Trafford dropped by Burnley, Sky Sports were confident the Rangers keeper was getting the nod.
Southgate’s justification was even more bizarre:
“We have chosen the three goalkeepers who we think are the best.
“It is not ideal that Aaron does not play. But he showed last week that he has the mental toughness to play for England when he responded to the mistake that he made.”
He chose a keeper who isn’t playing and has made mistakes but because he made some saves after the mistake, he’s the right choice over Butland?
Make it make sense.
Southgate shows again that he has his favourites
Why not just take the keeper who isn’t making mistakes and who is playing every week?
Southgate has now gone one further and really rubbed salt into the wounds.
Johnstone has withdrawn from the England squad and, instead of calling Rangers to ask for Jack Butland to make the short trip south, he’s promoted Trafford from the Under-21s.
Yes, he will be training at the same venue already but, what is the point of picking a player who has lost his place at club level and has been in poor form all season?
What does that say to Butland?
As England fans have seen with both Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips, Southgate clearly has his favourites, unfortunately for Butland, it looks like he isn’t one of them.
