Veteran Rangers Star Opens Up On His Future Amid Contract Situation: What Should The Gers Do? | OneFootball

In a recent interview (as cited by Rangers Review), Rangers custodian Jack Butland has opened up on his Ibrox future. The veteran Englishman will be a free agent this summer, and while no extension talks have taken place so far, the Gers ‘number 1’ is keen to commit his future if an offer is tabled in due time.

Told Butland when asked whether he had been notified about any potential talks. He further highlighted how he has enjoyed his time in Glasgow ahead of their trip to Paisley for the St Mirren clash.

His Rise In English Football

The 33-year-old England international progressed through the academy ranks of Clevedon United and Birmingham City before being loaned out to Cheltenham Town in the English League Two for senior football. He secured a first-team status upon returning to Birmingham, but was snapped up by Stoke City, then competing in the Premier League, for a fee of around £3.5m.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 30: Jack Butland of Rangers saves a penalty from Marcus Fraser of St Mirren during the Premier League match between Rangers and St. Mirren at Ibrox Stadium on December 30, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Butland was sent out on loan to Barnsley, Leeds United and Derby County in the Championship due to the lack of senior minutes for the Potters. He eventually cemented a starting spot and appeared more than 150 times for them across the top two flights until Crystal Palace brought him back to the Premier League for £1m as an understudy to Vicente Guaita.

Meanwhile, the Eagles roped in Sam Johnstone in the summer of 2022, which saw Butland slip further down the pecking order. He spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Manchester United, but could not grab any official appearances throughout the campaign.

Why Rangers Should Retain Butland Despite Limitations

Rangers secured his services on a Bosman in 2023, and the shot-stopper has primarily been the first-choice between the sticks. Although he lost his place to Liam Kelly towards the closure of the previous season, an impressive pre-season helped him reclaim his starting spot in the last line of defence. Despite the managerial turmoil and an array of disappointing outcomes in the initial months, Butland has maintained his composure and revived the Light Blues’ title hopes by defending narrow margins on several occasions.

Yet he has often been under scrutiny for his lack of consistency and high-profile errors. The mistakes have reduced this season, but the Three Lions star does not look confident enough while playing it out from the back. He is more of a traditional goalkeeper who prefers to make long clearances and distribution. But the modern game demands ball-playing traits even from the shotstoppers.

Having said that, Rangers are expected to make a few changes, with Danny Rohl’s future also hanging in the balance. They could part ways with various names en route to bolstering the squad, and Kelly, who has hardly featured this season, could make way for regular gametime. Kieran Wright is not the solution either, and the club should aim for a young and promising name, thus retaining Butland for at least one more campaign.