Jack Butland Rolls Back the Months to Save Rangers—But Bigger Questions Remain

Rangers’ 2-0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle may look routine on paper, but in reality, it was anything but. The scoreline flattered Philippe Clement’s side, who were far from convincing and could have easily dropped points had it not been for Jack Butland’s heroics in goal. While the headlines will show another victory in their pursuit of silverware, those who watched the match closely will know that Butland was the real reason Rangers secured all three points.

Following their humiliating Scottish Cup exit at the hands of lower-league opposition, Clement demanded a reaction from his players. And while the result was a step in the right direction, the performance itself wasn’t exactly a statement of intent. Hearts had multiple opportunities to punish Rangers, and on another night, they might have done so. Butland, however, stood firm and delivered one of his best performances of the season, earning a well-deserved man-of-the-match award with an impressive 9/10 rating.

It was a performance that harked back to his early months at Rangers, when he was widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Scotland. Back then, some even believed he had an outside chance of forcing his way back into the England squad under Gareth Southgate. But things haven’t exactly gone to plan since then, and Butland himself admits that his 2024/25 campaign hasn’t quite met his own expectations.

A Season of Mixed Fortunes for Butland

Butland’s form this season has been a mixed bag. Statistically, his numbers have largely improved from last year, but one key metric has dipped—his save percentage in relation to expected goals against. In simple terms, while he isn’t costing Rangers points, he also hasn’t been winning them games in the way he did when he first arrived. That was until his performance at Tynecastle, where he almost single-handedly secured victory for his team.

This inconsistency in form can be traced back to last season’s dramatic ending. At one stage, it looked as though Butland was on course for an England recall. Southgate had reportedly been monitoring his progress, and it seemed like he had a real shot at making a return to the national team setup. But when that call never came, his form took a noticeable dip.

To make matters worse, his season ended in nightmare fashion when he spilled a routine save in the Scottish Cup final, a match Rangers had dominated and deserved to win. That mistake not only cost them silverware but also cast a shadow over what had otherwise been a strong debut campaign in Glasgow.

Butland’s struggles seemed to carry over into the new season, with some fans and pundits questioning whether he had lost focus. While he wasn’t making glaring errors week in, week out, his performances lacked the same commanding presence that had defined his early months at the club. Then came another setback—his high-profile mistake in a pre-season friendly against Manchester United. Although it was just a friendly, it reignited concerns over his confidence.

To his credit, Clement has stood by Butland throughout these ups and downs. The Belgian manager was quick to back his goalkeeper after the Man United error, offering public support and reaffirming his belief in him as Rangers’ undisputed No.1. That faith appears to have paid off, with Butland now showing signs of rediscovering his best form.

Butland’s Own Verdict—Determined to Improve

Speaking after the Hearts match, Butland acknowledged that he hasn’t been at his best this season but insisted that he remains focused and determined to reach the high standards he has set for himself.

“I am my own biggest critic,” he admitted. “I set myself a standard which I think I have met for long periods of my time at the club so far, but there are always moments I wish I could’ve done better. Sometimes it plays on your mind, sometimes you are busy thinking about that, but I feel in a really good place.”

That self-awareness is important because it suggests Butland knows there is still room for improvement. Goalkeeping is as much about mentality as it is about technical ability, and in recent months, there have been signs that his confidence was wavering. But against Hearts, he played with the authority and assurance that made him such a key signing in the first place.

Rangers’ Trophy Hopes Now Rest on Butland

The big question now is whether this was a one-off performance or the start of a consistent run of form. Rangers desperately need the latter because, as things stand, their hopes of winning silverware this season rest almost entirely on the Europa League.

With Celtic looking strong in the league and Rangers already crashing out of both domestic cup competitions, the pressure is mounting on Clement and his squad. The prospect of another trophyless season is unthinkable for Rangers fans, and if they are to have any chance of European success, they will need several more performances like this from Butland.

European knockout ties are often decided by fine margins, and having a goalkeeper capable of making match-winning saves can be the difference between progress and elimination. Butland has shown he can be that player, but he needs to do it consistently—not just in one-off performances.

Rangers Still Over-Reliant on Their Goalkeeper?

While Butland deserves all the praise for his performance at Tynecastle, it also raises uncomfortable questions about the rest of the Rangers squad. Should a team with title ambitions really be so reliant on their goalkeeper to get them over the line against Hearts?

Rangers’ defensive frailties remain an issue, and while Butland bailed them out this time, it won’t always be enough. The reality is that Clement’s side should be controlling these games, not relying on their keeper to keep them in it. If Rangers are to challenge Celtic seriously and compete on the European stage, they need to address these weaknesses quickly.

For now, though, Butland has done his part. His performance against Hearts was a reminder of his quality and importance to this Rangers team. But if the club is to avoid another season of disappointment, they need more than just heroics from their goalkeeper—they need a complete team performance.

The spotlight is on Rangers now. Can they step up, or will Butland be left carrying the weight of expectation once again?