Credit: Imago

Chris Smith

Tue 12 August 2025 21:10, UK

Rangers have reached the Champions League play-off round, but they owe a huge debt of gratitude to goalkeeper Jack Butland.

Butland solid, 4/10 flops - Rangers player ratings v Viktoria Plzen	Man City and Everton stars react to Jack Grealish's 'incredible' message	'No excuse' - Mikel Arteta handed sack warning ahead of make-or-break Arsenal campaign

The Glasgow giants battered Viktoria Plzen 3-0 at Ibrox in the first leg of their third qualifying round match last week, taking a commanding lead to the Czech Republic.

But Russell Martin‘s side didn’t make it straightforward for themselves, eventually losing 2-1 at the Doosan Arena, with Rafiu Durosinmi and Svetozar Markovic scoring for Plzen either side of Lyall Cameron’s strike.

And it could have been a lot worse for the Gers were it not for the efforts of their goalkeeper.

Jack Butland vs Viktoria Plzen (FotMob)

Rangers were utterly dominated throughout the 90 minutes on Tuesday, with Plzen outshooting them 27-9, to the tune of 3.31-1.15 expected goals (FotMob).

However, Butland stood up to the challenge, clocking up a whopping eight saves, seven of which were inside the box, and preventing 1.47 goals.

The former England international took full command of his box to relieve the pressure on the Rangers goal, making two high claims and 13 recoveries, while he also performed one sweeper-keeper action.

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES

Butland’s save to deny Prince Adu in the 75th minute was the pick of the bunch, while the 32-year-old could do nothing about the two Plzen goals — the blame there lying solely with his defenders.

“Credit Butland – one incredible save and a couple of other decent ones,” former Rangers striker Steven Thompson (BBC), adding: “They can’t afford to give those kind of gifts to whoever comes through, whether it is Salzburg or Brugge.”

Indeed, it is Club Brugge standing in the way of Rangers and the league phase, with the Belgian side beating RB Salzburg 4-2 on aggregate.

Football Insider verdict

Butland was excellent against Viktoria Plzen

Butland’s stunning performance on Tuesday will serve as a real statement following a summer of uncertainty regarding his future.

The former Manchester United stopper has been the Rangers No.1 over the past two years, winning a Scottish League Cup title during that time.

However, a dip in form toward the end of last season saw Butland lose his place, with rumours abound that he could leave Ibrox.

Rangers were even heavily linked with a move for Brighton’s Carl Rushworth to put pressure on, or even replace, Butland, but the England youth international eventually joined Coventry City.

For now, Rangers have not added to their goalkeeper depth chart, and heroic performances like this from Butland may question whether they need to at all.
For more news relating to Manchester United, visit our sister site MUFC Live.