Chris Sutton drops Rangers rivalry as Celtic hero floats 'anti-Scottish football agenda' over Jack Butland England snub
Baffled Chris Sutton has told England boss Gareth Southgate to get his "backside" to Ibrox and watch Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland.
The Celtic hero 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 No. 1.
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 side both domestically and in Europe. And speaking on the 'It's All Kicking Off' podcast Sutton made his feelings clear to the England boss over who he should be picking up the phone to before Euro 2024.
He 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 at that. 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
Read on dailyrecord.co.uk
