Butland proves his Rangers doubters wrong with a masterclass v Celtic | OneFootball

The most remarkable aspect about today’s stunning 3-1 win, at the home of our oldest rivals, was not the result itself, nor was it the performance. It was the absolute Walter Smith-esque nature of this victory. Rangers did not play well at Parkhead. No Rangers fan was happy at half-time, 1-0 down from a side we somehow managed to make look good. It was a very, very poor performance. It was also that way for our long spell in the second half, before a completely unexpected and stunning equaliser appeared, courtesy of Nico Raskin and Youssef Chermiti. Bringing it back to 1-1 changed the game.

Equaliser Changed Everything

Celtic did start to rally and try to get a quick lead again, but it didn’t come to pass. Many Rangers fans believed that the difference had been Diomandé on for Thelo Aasgaard, but the reality was that Rangers were still poor up until the equaliser, deep into the second half. It was that equaliser that knocked the stuffing from Celtic to an extent, because their rally to further get a second goal didn’t pay off, and that was down to Jack Butland.

Butland the Hero

Rangers have no one else other than Butland to thank for this victory. Chermiti was very, very good at long last, the Portuguese producing a good performance. And Danny Röhl can be very pleased with himself as well, that he’s finally managed a big-time win in a big match for Rangers. It’s the first critical match of his career he’s ever won as manager. But he and the whole team and all the fans owe a huge debt of gratitude to the number one.

Butland rolled back the years to produce the old Butland that first joined Rangers under Michael Beale. That Butland was an outstanding goalkeeper and very much deserving of Player of the Year that season, 2023-2024. However, nevertheless, his performance at Parkhead is what made the difference. Rangers had three shots on target, they were clinically taken three goals. Of course goals win matches, we’re not denying that. But Butland’s outstanding performance at the back for the club stopped Celtic running away with this one before the equaliser.

Walter Smith Vibes

Most fans were stunned it was only 1-0 at half-time. The fact is, this was Walter Smith-esque because back in the 90s, Walter relied so much on Andy Goram, the legendary goalie, who stopped Celtic so many times and broke so many hearts at Parkhead in this way. Butland did very much the same thing, bailing his team out time and time again at Parkhead in a brilliant performance which is by far his best of the season.

We will discuss later the implications of this win for Danny Röhl as a manager of the club but for now Butland’s performance must go down as one of the best goalkeeping displays we’ve seen from a Rangers goalkeeper in a very, very long time. It won us the match, make no mistake. Rangers defence was frail beyond words in that first half and Butland saved our backsides repeatedly. He did so in the second half as well, before the equaliser and even after it as well. Butland was required repeatedly in this match and we are a little surprised that he didn’t get man of the match.

Fan view

Many fans put him down for that very award regardless. Chermiti just about gets it for his double. Not that he was incredible but he was good. He was very good and has finally done what Alfredo Morelos took 20 matches to do, score against Celtic. This is the match that strikers are judged on and Chermiti passed that test. Kevin Thelwell can feel a little bit smug on that one but we can’t say that it’s £10m spent well yet. But it might be getting there, going by more recent performances.

But nevertheless, Butland deserves the plaudits. He was utterly brilliant between the sticks and there was a difference between Rangers being absolutely destroyed and Rangers coming away with a behemoth win 3-1 at Parkhead. These matches define players and indeed managers. Jack Butland, take a bow.