When Gareth Southgate snubbed Jack Butland not once by TWICE during the last international break, it looked like the Rangers goalkeeper’s England time had come and gone.
Having earned nine caps earlier in his career, Jack Butland hasn’t been called up to the Three Lions squad since 2018.
With an injury to Newcastle’s Nick Pope opening a space in the squad, Butland was expected to be included alongside Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal) and current number one Jordan Pickford (Everton).
But when Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace) was called up instead, and then James Trafford (Burnley) drafted in to replace him following a season-ending injury, it looked like Butland’s England career was curtains.
Until now.
Gareth Southgate to attend Rangers v Celtic
The Daily Record are claiming that England manager Gareth Southgate will be in attendance for Rangers’ clash with Celtic this afternoon.
Whilst the primary focus of his attention will be the Rangers number one Jack Butland, it’s a situation which might inspire a few in the Ibrox squad to step up their game.
England Euro 2024 call-ups may be unlikely for the likes of James Tavernier or Todd Cantwell, but they might hope to leave an impression on the nation’s boss nonetheless.
The report claims that Jack Butland remains in the conversation for an England call-up this summer and Gareth Southgate wants to take a closer look.
This comes with the 31-year-old stopper breathing fresh life into his career following a summer move to Rangers.
The likeable stopper has spent several seasons warming Premier League benches at Crystal Palace and then Manchester United before the switch.
Jack Butland still in with England shout?
Gareth Southgate’s flying Rangers visit also comes after manager Philippe Clement was asked about Jack Butland’s England chances.
Claiming that there is still plenty of time to make the England squad for Euro 2024, the Rangers boss insists recent international disappointment will do little to dampen Butland’s ambitions.
“It’s not finished yet, so of course there is a chance,” said Clement. “It goes on until the day that the selection is made, so there are chances.
“But Jack is not performing to get to the Euros. Jack is performing for the club and to win things here. Then the other things can come.
“Right now, he’s just focused on his training every day to work well and to be decisive for the team, to be there and to be ready.
“I spoke with him of course, because I want to know, to see and to feel how my players are.
“It was a possibility that there was something in his head before the game. But it was totally not the case.”
Jack Butland has made 48 appearances for Rangers this season, keeping 23 clean sheets and conceding 37 goals.
