Jack Butland: Reviving the Legacy of Ibrox's Goalkeeping Greats
Jack Butland, the new signing for Rangers, is eager to uphold the club's prestigious legacy of exceptional goalkeepers After joining on a four-year deal following his release from Crystal Palace, Butland is set to replace Allan McGregor With Rangers making five new signings this summer, including the potential addition of forward Cyriel Dessers, the team is poised for an exciting season Stay up to date with Rangers' fixtures and the latest news from the summer transfer window on Sky Sports
Jack Butland is hoping to emulate the success of two legendary Rangers goalkeepers as he adapts to his new life at the Ibrox club. The 30-year-old recently joined the Light Blues on a four-year deal following his departure from Crystal Palace. He is expected to fill the void left by the departure of 41-year-old Allan McGregor, who played his last season for the Govan team.
Appearing at the Rangers Training Centre on Tuesday, only two days after the one-year remembrance of former Rangers goalkeeper Andy 'The Goalie' Goram's passing, Butland expressed his aspirations to follow in the footsteps of two Ibrox legends.
"That's my goal," mentioned the English international. "We're referring to two goalkeepers - 'The Goalie' and Greegsy (McGregor) - two individuals who possess an extraordinary legacy with the club."
Familiar with the essence of Rangers, viewing the recent memorial video of Andy Goram provided insight into his character, his significance to the club, and the club's importance to him.
"I believe this is the essence of our club. We possess a remarkable legacy of exceptional goalkeepers, and I aim to carry that tradition forward, both in my actions on and off the field. I am determined to immerse myself in learning about the club, relishing every moment, and hopefully emulating their achievements, although it is undoubtedly a formidable challenge considering their remarkable feats."
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Butland is among the five recent additions to Rangers' summer signings. Despite not playing during his loan at Manchester United in the previous season, Butland earned his ninth England cap in a successful friendly match against Switzerland in 2018. He remains hopeful for a chance to represent his country again but emphasizes that it is not his main focus.
"I consider myself a deeply patriotic individual," he expressed. "My devotion to my country has always held great significance in my life. The privilege of having previously represented my nation fills me with immense honor. Naturally, I yearn to once again be a part of that esteemed position.
"Nevertheless, it is not my singular preoccupation. My priority lies in achieving success at the club level, which entails carrying out my duties here to the best of my ability. As for the matter of my involvement with the national team [England], I have consistently stated that it is beyond my control. Ultimately, that decision lies in the hands of others."
Content: Only if we are fulfilling our responsibilities and if I am performing at a satisfactory level will that possibility arise, and that is my main objective at the moment. Butland is just one of the five recent acquisitions made by boss Michael Beale for this summer, and the Ibrox club is close to finalizing a deal with Cremonese for 28-year-old Nigerian forward Cyriel Dessers.
Rangers fixtures: Gers travel to Kilmarnock on opening day
Rangers have confirmed that they will be facing Olympiakos in a friendly match at Ibrox on Wednesday July 26. This game will mark the completion of their pre-season schedule, which already includes fixtures against Newcastle, Hamburg, and Hoffenheim.The 2023/24 Scottish Premiership season for the Rangers will kick off with an away game against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, which will be broadcast live on We. Following this, Michael Beale's team will compete in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round on either August 8 or 9, and then resume domestic league action with a match against Livingston at Ibrox on August 12. The second leg of their European tie is scheduled for August 15.
If Rangers advance to the play-off round, the first leg is set to occur on either August 22 or 23, followed by the second leg on August 29 or 30.
Both of the initial two Old Firm matches of the season will be broadcasted by the We cameras. The first game will take place on September 3, and the second on December 30. The third encounter before the split is slated for April 6.
The winter break will commence on January 3, right after Rangers' game against Kilmarnock, and conclude on January 19.
Once the round of matches on April 13 is complete, the division will split into two, as the top six teams face off against each other once, as do the bottom six teams. The season will conclude on the weekend of May 18/19.
Follow the summer transfer window with Sky Sports
Which players will be changing clubs this summer during the transfer window, which begins on June 14 and ends at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?Stay informed about all the newest transfer news and rumors by following our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on We' digital platforms. Additionally, you can find comprehensive coverage of transfers, departures, and expert analysis on We News.
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Stay up-to-date with every Rangers game in the Scottish Premiership this season by following our live blogs on the We website and app. Additionally, enjoy free access to match highlights.Looking for the latest news on Rangers? Be sure to bookmark our dedicated Rangers news page. With us, you can also check out the team's upcoming fixtures and their most recent results. Take pleasure in watching Rangers' goals and videos, while keeping track of the Scottish Premiership table. And don't miss out on the opportunity to find out which Rangers games will be broadcasted live on We.
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