BUTS JACK HAS TO BE IN THE THREE LIONS SQUAD
BAFFLED Chris Sutton has told England boss Gareth Southgate to get his “backside” to Ibrox and watch Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland.
The Celtic hero (inset) has emerged as a surprise cheerleader for Butland after he was snubbed for the Three Lions international double header against Brazil and Belgium – with Everton’s Jordan Pickford, Arsenal back-up stopper Aaron Ramsdale and Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone called up instead.
However, following an injury to Johnstone Southgate handed Burnley’s James Trafford a call for the Belgium showdown over the
Rangers No1 (above).
Trafford has acted as number two for Turf Moor first choice Arijanet Muric for most of the English Premier League campaign – while 31-year-old Butland has been a key figure for the Scottish Premiership.
And Sutton said: “Nothing against James Trafford, but I’ve seen plenty of him and it’s been a difficult season for him.
Difficult season for Burnley. But I think you can look at his indecision from crossed balls.
“You had the start of the season, watching him play out from the back with his feet is really excellent. But he’s a guy who’s lost confidence the longer the season has gone on. Hence why even his manager (at Burnley) has realised that, and made a change.
“And I don’t know whether there’s the usual anti-scottish football agenda, but I think that Jack Butland being overlooked, I’m really surprised. And I think this season he’s been a major part, one of the biggest parts of Rangers and their improvement under Philippe Clement.
“Also when he’s played in European football, he has been very, very assured. Of course, he has played for England before. With the injury situation with goalkeepers at this moment in time, I think Gareth should get his backside up to Scotland and really watch Butland closely. Because there’s no way in my mind that James Trafford should be being picked in a squad ahead of Jack Butland.”