Jack Butland has dismissed transfer rumors and stated he has no intention of leaving Rangers.
Since joining last summer, the Light Blues keeper has impressed both Michael Beale and Philippe Clement. However, since Nottingham Forest attempted to bring him back to England in January, there have been increasing concerns that his time at Ibrox may not last more than a year.
The 31-year-old has, nevertheless, reiterated his dedication to the Light Blues, stating that the decision to relocate north was “easy” and “no-brainer,” and that the next season will only serve to solidify it as “more and more the right decision.”
Butland has already won the Viaplay Cup this season, and there’s still a chance he may add Scottish Cup and SPFL trophies before the season ends. The Englishman has even hinted that he might extend his contract in Glasgow in order to add even more hardware to his collection.
“I signed a four-year contract with beliefs of winning things and winning lots of trophies-that hasn’t changed in my mind,” he stated, as reported by the Daily Record on May 1. Ultimately in football when you do perform well, there’s always going to be noise and there’s always going to be talk.
“Where I’m at is that I’m loving my time here and I’m fully focused on achieving here and continuing to do so. That’s all that my mind is set on, that’s Rangers Football club.”
He added in regards to the Forest bid: “My agent notified me of what was coming in. The club immediately said, ‘No’. My agent said, ‘How do you feel about that?’ but it was a ‘no’ from me as well. Like I said, if you’re performing well things like that ultimately do come.
Although I’m not blowing smoke up my behind, I have previously attended prestigious clubs in England. I’ve previously been in England teams. That reputation has, I suppose, always exist.
But after that, you have to act. I think I’ve done that, and you’ll always find yourself in conversations because of it. To spark curiosity is an indication that everything is proceeding as planned and smoothly.
I want to play well because that’s what I want to do, and if I do, those conversations will come up. I’ve already stated that I’m content and enjoying my time here.
Rangers stay on the cards for former Crystal Palace keeper
Keeping Butland at Ibrox through what promises to be a busy summer for Clement gives the Belgian a vital point to build from, with question marks over every area of his squad.
The former England international staying might make funding another overhaul harder given a fee of more than £20million has been suggested, but finding a replacement for him would have been a challenge in itself.
Assuming he does indeed stay for the new season it surely will end Robby McCrorie’s long time at the club, with the 26-year-old forever stuck down the pecking order at Ibrox.
Any member of the Rangers team might theoretically be acquired for the proper price, but Butland’s remarks seem very definitive—possibly even more so than those of fellow star James Tavernier, who is also rumored to be leaving the team.
There aren’t many Rangers players right now who would be guaranteed to make it through the manager’s anticipated clearout, but Butland is probably a near-universal pick, so if he plans to be around for the long run, it seems like a huge plus for the team
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