The Ibrox stopper was dropped for the Europa League tie with Athletic Bilbo - but his Fenerbahce heroics made him feel 10 feet tall
Sport Robbie Chalmers Sports Trends Writer 20:49, 10 Apr 2025
Unhappy Jack Butland has made a ploy to feel the Rangers love again after being dropped by Barry Ferguson for the crunch Europa League match with Athletic Bilbao.
But Ally McCoist got 'brutally honest' over his assessment of how the shotstopper is really feeling.
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It comes on the day Butland bared his soul to former Manchester United keeper Ben Foster and beamed over his Fenerbahce heroics.
The former Stoke stopper was the man of the moment against Jose Mourinho's men at Ibrox in the Europa League last-16 decider.
But things have only gone downhill from there with a serious of high profile gaffes calling into question his Gers future.
He made to errors that have led directly to goals in his last two Premiership appearance, the last of which was against Hibs in the 2-0 home defeat.
Kris Boyd backed Liam Kelly to start ahead of him with McCoist fearing Butland's career could be over since Ferguson dropped him to the bench against the La Liga side.
And with Kelly being given the Europa League nod, McCoist admitted with his signature "brutally honest" assessment that he was surprised with how the situation has played out – and how "unhappy" the keeper was.
Meanwhile interim boss Ferguson admitted it "wasn't a knee-jerk reaction" and that making the decision was a long-time coming.
But speaking on the 'Fozcast' podcast - with host and former Manchester United shot stopper Ben Foster - Butland regaled over his glory night against the Turkish giants and admits there is no better feeling than feeling the love of the Light Blues support.
It is something he will have to work hard to regain after his recent drop in form.
Speaking on Ben Foster's Fozcast podcast, Butland recalled: “It doesn't mate [get much better than this].
"You had to be there though. You have to be there and you have to hear it. Ibrox when it is like that is seriously bonkers.
"For me I have never experienced anything like it. It is top. The stadium is perfect for it and the fans.
"That game in particular - it was the rollercoaster emotions of that night and the last few weeks, the manager coming in, an ex player. It got all the fans going. It got that sort of feeling back.
"The feeling of saving a penalty is amazing no one expects you to [save one]. And then in the shootout to get of the that start, save the first one and then Fred [former Man United teammate], I just knew what he was going to do."
He concluded: “Its not been the best of seasons. It has been difficult.
"But the fans and the club are still desperate and still believe in you and still back you, still follow you and do everything they can.
"And you just have to give something back."
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