Rangers’ Jack Butland and James Tavernier are projected for top awards against Celtic, Hearts, and Aberdeen stars.
Kris Boyd believes Jack Butland is the greatest piece of Rangers transfer business this season and should be considered for SPFL Player of the Year.
The Sky Sports commentator is pleased with the English keeper’s influence at Ibrox, particularly following another excellent showing in the Europa League tie against Benfica. He has put him on a five-man shortlist for the top accolade, alongside Gers skipper James Tavernier, in his Scottish Sun column (8 March).
Boyd identifies Hearts player Lawrence Shankland, Aberdeen attacker Bojan Miovski, and Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley as standouts this season.
Boyd wrote, “The best, though?” Jack Butland is a strong contender for Player of the Year alongside Matt O’Riley, Lawrence Shankland, Bojan Miovski, and James Tavernier.
“He demonstrated his skill once more in Lisbon, making several excellent saves. And he’ll have to stay on his toes again at Easter Road.
“The way Butland handled Angel Di Maria’s spectacular corners was astounding. Gers chose the goaltender as their summer transfer target.
Kris Boyd raves about Jack Butland’s effect at Ibrox.
Fans of opposing teams would undoubtedly argue otherwise, but with Rangers having turned the championship race around to lead Celtic at this point, their key players are sure to be considered.
Butland’s arrival at Ibrox filled the void created by Allan McGregor’s retirement in a way that only Abdallah Sima’s loan signing can match in the summer transfer window.
This season, the former Crystal Palace player has played his way back into England contention, despite a midseason rejection from Nottingham Forest [Scottish Sun, 13 January]. He has 22 clean sheets in all competitions and the best defensive record in the Scottish Premiership, conceding only 16 goals.
Tavernier’s ability to make critical contributions when it counts has once again been a vital aspect of a season that appeared to be dead and buried at one stage but has been revived by Philippe Clement to win one trophy and keep Rangers in contention for several.
The captain sometimes receives unfair criticism when things aren’t going well at Ibrox, therefore he deserves to be praised when they are. With 21 goals and 10 assists, he has already contributed more than most.
The other three names are likely to be the selection of many, with Shankland notably taking some beating given his fantastic scoring streak. Both the Scot and his Dons counterpart are regarded as probable Ibrox arrivals this summer.
But if a Gers player were to receive it, few would dispute that Butland or Tavernier should be the recipient.
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