As Rangers gained safe passage to the Scottish Cup Final, the performance of Jack Butland was almost an afterthought.
With Cyriel Dessers and Todd Cantwell stealing the headlines at Hampden, the 31-year-old’s heroics in front of goal have been somewhat skimmed over in the analysis.
But far from be an insult to the yet another massive performance in a big game for Jack Butland, it’s a testament to his progress at Rangers.
Super Jack has gone to another level in the eyes of Ibrox fans, and Scottish football as a whole, with his extraordinary saves becoming, well, ordinary.
The spectacular is routine for the England hopeful who sent Gareth Southgate a firm message with an inspired performance in Glasgow’s southside.
Jack Butland must maintain Hearts heroics
There’s been much made about Jack Butland’s form for Rangers this season, with the club’s albeit long-shot title chances largely down to his early-season heroics.
As a new-look Rangers side struggled for identity, the consistent performances of the Rangers goalkeeper kept the Ibrox club in the title tilt.
Now, Rangers will need their number one on top form if they’re to go on and lift a legendary treble.
All that’s left for the stopper is to put in a match-winning performance against Celtic and all eyes will be on Jack Butland when Rangers roll into Parkhead in a few weeks’ time.
The goalkeeper will have to be at the top of his game if Rangers are to escape the home of their Old Firm rivals with all three points in the bag.
Philippe Clement believes such a scenario will be required for Rangers to lift the title.
Rangers goalkeeper heading to Euro 2024?
There is also the small matter of Euro 2024 and England’s rumbling goalkeeper conundrum heading into the summer tournament.
Jordan Pickford (Everton) and Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal) appear nailed on to make the Three Lions squad but that third berth is still up for grabs.
Nick Pope (Newcastle) has been nursing a devastating shoulder injury whilst Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace) has also been ruled out for the season.
James Trafford (Burnley) was preferred to Jack Butland in the last international break but Gareth Southgate’s presence at the recent Ibrox Old Firm means the Rangers goalkeeper is in firm contention.
Whilst Butland’s performance against Hearts hasn’t made the headlines it probably deserves, we suspect the England manager might well have been watching.
