The Daily Record has bounced back fighting after the latest Jack Butland snub.
For over a month the newspaper read by barely over 50,000 Real Scots had been at their campaigning best as they assured loyal readers that the Ibrox goalkeeper would be included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
A four page Super Jack supplement was ready to roll on the day of the squad announcement when word came through that Butland wasn’t included, missing out to an Arsenal reserve and some guy called Johnstone who plays for Crystal Palace.
Later that night Butland lost a goal to Benfica but spoke out bravely to the media while James Tavernier went AWOL.
Yesterday afternoon there was a fresh frenzy for Butland’s inclusion with news that Sam Johnstone had sustained an elbow injury with a replacement set to be called in.
‘Incredibly’ Butland was snubbed again with James Trafford of relegation certainties Burnley called up from the England u-21 squad for Tuesday’s friendly against Belgium.
Any sensible publisher would have body-swerved Southgate’s latest snub or covered it in a non partisan manner- but not the Record.
Slipping into his England kit Robbie Copeland refused to take the decision lying down as he spun the decision to the Record’s army of readers:
Luckless Jack Butland saw a second door open for an England call-up – only to quickly have it slammed in his face.
But his most recent snub may not be all it seems as he targets a spot at Euro 2024. The Rangers keeper was widely expected to be in Gareth Southgate’s squad for their March friendlies after Record Sport revealed he was firmly back on the radar after an impressive season at Ibrox. But despite Sky Sports and others reporting on the day the squad was announced that he HAD made the cut, Butland was surprisingly left out, with Sam Johnstone picked instead as third choice to Jordan Pickford and Aaron Ramsdale.
Sky Sports were the voice of moderation compared to the excitement at the Record Sports Desk.
The ball went back into Butland’s court to play his way into contention for the Euros but on Sunday it briefly emerged that he could be called upon this month after all. Johnstone pulled out with injury and is returning to Crystal Palace for treatment and since Butland was so close to making the initial squad, he looked like the natural replacement.
It never emerged briefly for a second in Southgate’s plans.
But he has once again been overlooked with Southgate instead turning to Burnley’s James Trafford in a move that raised understandable eyebrows. Trafford has recently lost his spot in VIncent Kompany’s team, seemingly due to poor form, but he has been pulled from the U21 squad to link up with the senior team ahead of Tuesday’s game with Belgium.
With Nick Pope expected to return to the Newcastle side next month Southgate will have five ‘keepers competing for three places in his squad for the European Championships.
Whether the Record likes it or not Super Jack has as much chance of being part of the squad as James Tavernier, Connor Goldson or John Lundstram.
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EXCLUSIVE! Gareth Southgate accused of Rangers ‘disregard’ as Barry Ferguson erupts over England KO for Jack Butlandhttps://t.co/L5IZ2VdyEn pic.twitter.com/vK3ghserWd
— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) March 16, 2024
Jack Butland’s England return dream is ON as Gareth Southgate throws Rangers keeper into Euro 2024 mixhttps://t.co/lPkYwDDO6M pic.twitter.com/vOSNnSux3J
— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) February 10, 2024
