Rangers: Philippe Clement details Jack Butland talks after development this week

Philippe Clement has confirmed that he had talks with Jack Butland after Gareth Southgate left the Rangers goalkeeper out of the latest England team on Thursday (14 March).

Jordan Pickford, Sam Johnstone, and Aaron Ramsdale were named to the Three Lions team before their Europa League match against Benfica on Thursday, according to X.

Though Butland will be upset not to be called up for England’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, Clement is sure that his goalkeeper has not lost concentration at club level.

According to PLZ Soccer (15 March), the Belgian goalie stated at a press conference after the Benfica match, “It proves that in England they must have a lot of really good goalkeepers if he’s not there.”

“I spoke briefly with Jack, but it was unnecessary because he was concentrated on the game, which he also demonstrated. These are the things of life. He continues to work hard for the Rangers, hoping that more opportunities will arise.

“I think the most positive thing is that, in the last couple of weeks, there were a lot of things written about Jack going to the England squad, and I didn’t hear anyone say – ‘that’s weird’.”

Is Jack Butland’s Rangers performance worthy of an England call-up?

Short answer: yes. Butland’s form has been outstanding this season, having found his feet after serving as a backup at Crystal Palace and then on loan at Manchester United for the second half of last season. The former Stoke City shot-stopper will be upset to not be called up for the first time since 2019, despite being in outstanding form for Rangers this season and pushing his cause for inclusion.

With 17 Scottish Premiership clean sheets, the 31-year-old is far ahead of the pack in the league and has shown himself on the European stage, even if Rangers lost to Benfica in the round of 16 with a 3-2 aggregate defeat.

Of course, Clement is correct in assuming that the goalkeeping trio called up by Southgate has a high level of quality. However, it will still feel like a jab in the teeth, especially if the manager follows to his promise of selecting players based on form.

While Pickford is the clear number one in the national squad, and Johnstone has reclaimed his starting status at Selhurst Park, Ramsdale has been replaced in the Arsenal side by David Raya and has yet to earn a place this season.

The 25-year-old has made only six league starts this season and has been chastised on numerous occasions for his poor performances, most recently making a catastrophic error against Brentford.

Butland is a professional, so he wouldn’t say anything in public. However, the goalkeeping selection is undoubtedly interesting.

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