Rangers need more players like Jack Butland if Philippe Clement is to bring more success to the club than just the Viaplay Cup.
The manager is under no illusions as to the size of the task at Ibrox, however, if he gets his squad rebuild right, then he will have a markedly better chance of taking the next step.
Having got their noses in front, Rangers ran out of steam, but Jack Butland is keen to put the disappointment of the league campaign behind him.
Rangers title slump sees Jack Butland focus on what really matters
The Scottish Premiership title, at one point, was in Rangers grasp.
Too many points were dropped in the final stretch and the defeat to Motherwell in particular seems to have been one, in hindsight, that saw the wheels start to buckle.
Rangers had 31 shots, 11 on target and 71% possession, Dan Casey should also have been sent off before going on to score the winner.
It was one of those nights and it should have been shelved as such, but it seemed to be a result that eat away at the team instead.
The chance to open a five-point gap and put the pressure on Celtic, who had a game in hand, was forfeited and a one-point deficit was the eventual outcome.
Speaking after the bizarre 3-3 draw with Hearts Jack Butland, as reported by The Herald, is keen for Rangers to move on and focus on what is important now:
“I know the table perhaps won’t look like that at the minute but we had our moments and we had our opportunities. That’s where the frustration comes in.
“But, ultimately, there is defiance. And there is certainly some belief there before next week. There is some pride on the line. That is what this club and playing in this city is all about, it’s the next one.
“The league is now out of our hands and gone. Now we have to focus on the cup next weekend. It’s always the next one.”
Scottish Cup final success now key for Rangers
Butland is right, Rangers had moments against Motherwell, Ross County and Dundee to put pressure on Celtic.
What actually happened was like something out of a horror story.
Players dropped like flies and a defence that had been impermeable in an 11-game winning run became more porous than it had been for some time.
There was no rhyme or reason for the slump and aside from a few flickers of rejuvenation, there was never a full recovery.
With one last chance, the Scottish Cup final showdown could be pivotal.
Victory sees Rangers end the season with two trophies in addition to a successful Europa League campaign.
Yes, the league title is the one that matters most, but an Old Firm cup final win would be an acceptable level of compensation for a season that looked to have been over in October.
