Former Manchester United goalkeeper Jack Butland is enjoying a new lease of life at Rangers with the ex-England international proving to be an ‘out of this world’ addition at Ibrox.
The Red Devils have a habit of signing back-up goalkeepers and not even handing them a minute of competitive action, it seems.
Before Altay Bayindir came Jack Butland, the experienced glovesman brought in on loan from Crystal Palace as cover for David de Gea but departing Old Trafford a few months later without even a single second of football to show for his time in Manchester United colours.
From England giants to Scotland powerhouses
Opportunities have certainly been rather more forthcoming north of the border.
In fact, Butland has not missed a single one of Rangers’ 34 games in all competitions this season, keeping 16 clean sheets along the way and conceding fewer than a goal-a-game on average.
Butland is also a major reason why Philippe Clement’s Glasgow giants have Europa League knockout stage football to look forward to in the spring, and why the Scottish League Cup trophy is currently taking up residence at Ibrox.
“The goalkeeper has been out of this world,” Gers legend Ally McCoist tells talkSPORT (18 January, 6am) of a player who has been labelled, in some quarters, as one of the club’s most inspired acquisitions since their return to the Scottish top-flight in 2016.
“Butland has been the best signing of the lot,” McCoist told TNT Sports recently. “In fact, he might be Rangers’ best signing for a few years.
“He’s been outstanding.”
Former Manchester United man in ‘outstanding’ form
With Andre Onana (belatedly) jetting out to Ivory Coast to represent Cameroon in the African Cup of Nations, Bayinidir could make his long-awaited Manchester United debut when Erik ten Hag’s side travel to fourth-tier Newport County in the FA Cup later this month.
“We have good team-mates and everyone is positive every day. That’s the most important thing for us,” the £4.3 million signing from Fenerbahce tells the United website.
“All the goalkeepers, their character is very nice. We are always positive. Of course, we are fighting (to be) on the pitch, because everyone wants to play with the team in the stadium.
“But we have a good energy. It doesn’t matter who is playing, because we will, of course, support them every time.”
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