It’s getting a bit tedious talking about how good Jack Butland has been since signing for Rangers but, yet again, he delivered the goods when it mattered most.
On the face of it, the Light Blues were comfortable at Hampden and could have scored more goals during a dominant semi-final display.
7 Greatest Central Midfielders Since 2000
Things could have been entirely different though if Jack Butland hadn’t been on his toes at key moments in the game for Rangers.
UEFA Champions League Play-offs, 2nd legPSV Eindhoven v Rangers FC
Photo by ANP via Getty Images
Jack Butland makes his mark for Rangers at Hampden
With the score at 1-0 and just minutes after the “incredible” James Tavernier gave Rangers the lead, Hearts were awarded a corner in front of their own fans.
Connor Goldson and co. had defended set pieces and long throw ins with confidence up until this point only for Frankie Kent to find himself free to bullet a header goalwards.
Jack Butland, as he has been all season, was on hand to push the Hearts centre-half’s effort out for another corner and preserve Rangers lead – cue the Ibrox faithful serenading the keeper with his new song.
Again, at 2-0, with plenty of time left on the clock, the 30-year old was called into action in even more spectacular fashion.
Stephen Kingsley, who has been a target for Rangers in the past, cut inside from the right-hand side of the box before firing a well placed shot that was heading for the top corner.
Butland again did his job, stretching every inch of his 6ft 5inch frame to top the goal bound shot over the bar.
Job done.
With Jack Butland, there is very much a sense that he is just doing what he is paid to do for Rangers.
It can be the difference between winning silverware and narrowly missing out.
League championships, in particular, can’t be won without a reliable number one and Jack Butland has proven for Rangers already that he isn’t just reliable, he’s unreal.
Leave a Reply