Jack Butland Signs for Rangers on a Four-Year Deal
Jack Butland has joined Rangers on a four-year deal after leaving Crystal Palace as a free agent. Butland was on loan at his boyhood club Manchester United last season but didn’t make an appearance. The 30-year-old comes in to replace Ibrox legend Allan McGregor who has left the club. The former England international spoke of his delight after signing with the Glasgow giants: “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 about 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. The manager came to see me a month or so ago and he played a presentation, with all the bells and whistles. Nothing will compare to Ibrox packed, it was an easy sell, and it was something from a football perspective that is a no-brainer. I can’t wait to get started. I think I am a leader, and I am a vocal person.
“I like to set standards and be on top of people in the changing room on and off the park setting the standards. I like to be big and imposing in goal and how the manager wants to play. Spending the last six months at Manchester United and playing with those players and their style, I have picked up a lot. Like this opportunity, Manchester United is a club you don’t turn down. You don’t turn down the opportunity to join clubs like that with the history that they have, with the players that they have got. Me going there, it was only an opportunity to better myself and to learn.
“The European nights we had, the Carabao Cup Final, obviously a disappointing result in the FA Cup Final. I think it has prepared me well for what is to come here. That is what being here is all about. Hopefully, I can take some of that into pre-season and we have many nights like that ourselves.”
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Speaking to RangersTV, Butland praised manager Michael Beale and how he played an important part in the decision to sign. He said: “He was a massive part. I think regardless of the club, you still want to hear good things from the manager and you want to hear that desire from the manager and that plan and a direction.
“What this club expects is a given regardless of the manager, but when you hear a manager speak and how quickly he wants to get us back to winning ways and how he wants to do that, as a player, it is music to your ears. So it plays a huge part – I wouldn’t say it was the final nail in the coffin to come – I think I was on my way! But, when you hear that, it is really important you have a manager that wants that and is going to drive us forward.”
Butland started his career at Birmingham City before making the switch to Stoke City in 2013. The Bristol-born keeper made 150 appearances for the Potters across a seven-year spell. Speaking to the Rangers website, Beale said he believes Butland is coming into the prime years of his career: “I am delighted that we have recruited Jack. It was clear from our first meeting that we have a strong alignment on football and his development moving forward.
“At 30, he is coming into the prime years of his career having already amassed huge experience with 300 appearances in senior football, including almost 90 in the Premier League. In addition, he has played for England at every level, including nine caps for the senior team and five for the Great Britain Olympic team. I feel that we have recruited an excellent goalkeeper and, importantly, a top person. We are delighted to have Jack and his young family arriving in Glasgow and look forward to seeing him excel in his time at Rangers.”
Butland has made 18 appearances in the past three seasons and signing for Rangers is the perfect move to get his career back on track. However, Robby McCrorie, who started in goals for the Light Blues for four of the five games during the split, only conceding one goal will make sure to give the Englishman good competition for the number one jersey.
By: Scott Bradley / @ScottBradleyX
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