According to Kris Boyd, Jack Butland is the best addition the Rangers have made this season and ought to be a contender for SPFL Player of the Year.
The English keeper’s effect at Ibrox has thrilled the Sky Sports pundit, especially following another impressive display in the Europa League tie at Benfica. In his Scottish Sun column on March 8, the pundit included him and Gers captain James Tavernier on a five-man shortlist for the top accolade.
Boyd also listed Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley as one of the season’s standouts, along with Hearts star Lawrence Shankland and Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski, both of whom he has previously identified as targets for the Light Blues.
Boyd penned: “The greatest, however? Jack Butland, Matt O’Riley, Lawrence Shankland, Bojan Miovski, and James Tavernier must be arguing for Player of the Year.
“He once more displayed his class in Lisbon with a few excellent saves. And along Easter Road, he’ll have to watch out once more.
“It was impressive how Butland handled those unbelievable corners from Angel Di Maria.” The goaltender was the best addition to the Gers’ summer transfer class.
Kris Boyd is all over Jack Butland’s influence on Ibrox.
Although opponents’ supporters will undoubtedly argue otherwise, Rangers has already pulled ahead of Celtic in the title race, therefore their players will undoubtedly be taken into consideration.
The only other summer transfer deal that remotely filled the void created by Allan McGregor’s departure was the signing of loan player Abdallah Sima. Butland’s arrival at Ibrox did just that.
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With 22 clean sheets in all competitions thus far and easily the best defensive record in the Scottish Premiership with 16 conceded, the former Crystal Palace player has played his way back into England contention and seen a big-money bid from Nottingham Forest rejected out of hand midseason [Scottish Sun, 13 January].
Once again, Tavernier’s ability to make significant contributions when it matters has been a defining characteristic of a campaign that appeared to be over, but under Philippe Clement, it has been revived to win one trophy and put the Rangers on the quest for more.
When things aren’t going well at Ibrox, the captain receives a lot of criticism—often unjustly—so when they do, he deserves the credit. He has already made more of an impact than most with another incredible return of 21 goals and 10 assists from full-back.
The other three names are probably going to be popular choices, and Shankland in particular, with his amazing scoring form, will probably be hard to match. The Scot and his Dons opponent are both being tipped as potential summer Ibrox acquisitions.
However, few would disagree that Butland or Tavernier should receive it if a Gers player were to receive it.
In other Rangers news, a starter’s replacement has already been lined up, and the team is expected to receive a £5 million summer windfall.
