Jack Butland earns live England audition as Gareth Southgate makes a beeline for Ibrox
dailyrecord.co.ukGareth Southgate is set to make a beeline for Ibrox as Jack Butland earns an in-person pitch to convince the England boss he’s a must-pick for Euro 2024.MailSport understands Southgate will be in attendance for the blockbuster title showdown with Celtic as Butland strives to book his place for Germany with a season-defining display.
A spot is up for grabs with Sam Johnstone all but out and Newcastle’s Nick Pope fighting to be fit.The 31-year-old was expected to make the cut for the Three Lions’ recent double header with Brazil and Belgium, however, he missed out before more woe followed as James Trafford was selected as the chief back-up.
Butland has nine caps for his country but hasn’t been capped since 2018 after once being viewed as the heir apparent to now Celtic shot stopper Joe Hart.The former Stoke star saw his career fade at Crystal Palace while a short-term loan at Manchester United proved a stop-gap.
But the man who wore the gloves for Team GB at the 2012 Olympics has breathed new life into his career with title-chasing Rangers in Glasgow and is the mix for a host of individual gongs at season’s end.The chance to turn Southgate’s head comes days after Ibrox boss Philippe Clement was adamant his keeper was motivated by cups not caps.
Read more on dailyrecord.co.uk