Rangers appointed Danny Rohl in October and tasked him with getting the best he could out of the shabbily assembled summer squad formed by Russell Martin and Kevin Thelwell.
In the January window he had a small opening to make adjustments to the playing staff. Bringing in four recruits across the park.
One area not adjusted however, was in goal.
Jack Butland has been Rangers number one since his signing in 2023 under the stewardship of Michael Beale but his spell in Govan has been up and down.
After a fantastic start to his career in Scotland in which Butland single handedly won the Gers points.
He suffered a severe dip in form last winter which ended in former interim boss Barry Ferguson dropping the former England international from the side towards the end of the campaign.
This season the stopper has shone a remarkable return to form, but with just over a year left on his deal – do Rangers need to move past the keeper?
We seen the best and worst of Butland across the previous two fixtures against Celtic.
Jack Butland made fantastic saves in the first match, a 2-2 draw, including a double save at Reo Hatate’s penalty – but was unable to get close to any spot kicks a week later as Rangers exited the cup on penalties.
What was said
Butland, however, insists the focus within the dressing room is not on individual scrutiny but on the bigger picture as Rangers head into the final stretch of the campaign.
Reflecting on recent results and criticism surrounding the team Butland was assured.
He said: “The easiest thing to do in this scenario within the last couple of weeks and things that are happening is that you focus on the negatives, which is what everyone loves to do the most.
“The hardest thing to do is to ignore that and to focus on the good things that you have done.”
The goalkeeper pointed to the club’s recovery earlier in the season as evidence of the squad’s character and belief.
“I don’t think there’s anyone that would look back at this group in September or October last year and think that it was capable.
“The fact that we are having these discussions now shows that we’ve absolutely answered those questions already.”
Despite the frustration of recent setbacks, Jack Butland maintains Rangers remain firmly in the title race heading into the final nine matches of the season.
“We’re not in a bad position at all, we’re in a great position,” he argued.
“With the opportunity within a couple of weekends, best case scenario, you could be right there, you could even be sat at the top. That’s how close it still is.”
The title race
With a trip to Paisley to face managerless St Mirren next on the agenda, Jack Butland emphasised the importance of focusing only on Rangers own performances.
He said: “It really is a matter of winning every game that comes up in front of us.”
The 33-year-old also admitted that competing in these situations is exactly why he joined Rangers in the first place.
“It’s what the club’s about. It’s what anyone who comes here should expect to be involved in,” he explained.
“We’ve been involved and got close a couple of times, but we have a real opportunity and a real belief that we can do it.
“It’s what I came here for and it’s what’s driving me on.”
And while his long-term future remains uncertain with his contract entering its final stretch, Butland made clear his desire to remain at Ibrox.
“Love it here, love the challenge, love what it’s about. I love the way that the club’s received me and my family, as well as the fan base.”
Does Butland fit into the plans?
But the wider question for Rangers may not simply be about Butland’s form – it is about how he fits into the direction of the team under Rohl.
The German’s side have already faced criticism for being overly direct and relying on long balls to their two centre-forwards.
Martin O’Neill’s side arrived with a deep defensive setup and Rangers struggled to break that down. Eventually exiting on penalties after a 0-0 draw last week.
As mentioned, Rohl inherited a squad assembled under several different regimes and recruitment strategies.
Even after four signings in January, the group still lacks a clear identity built around one tactical vision.
As a result, his preferred style has had to be adapted.
His current Rangers side often looks far more direct than the possession-based approach he used during his time in Sheffield.
Some of those patterns are already visible in Scotland.
Rangers often split their centre-backs in possession while players such as Tuur Rommens push forward early on the left. But the full system has not fully developed yet.
One key difference is in goal.
Where Rohl’s previous team built patiently through pressure, Butland has frequently opted to play long even when Rangers appear set up to build from the back.
That choice has often turned Rangers attacks into quicker, more direct transitions rather than controlled possession sequences – with the ball often returning back up the park in a quick turnover.
The same contrast appeared during the recent Old Firm clash.
Looking ahead
If the manager is backed again in the summer transfer window, Rangers could evolve into a side capable of dominating games through structure and movement.
Rather than one relying so heavily on direct attacks.
That evolution may also determine the future of players already at the club – including Butland.
For now, Rohl is adapting his ideas to the squad he inherited.
But if Rangers eventually move closer to the tactical blueprint he built earlier in his coaching career, the question over Butland will become louder.
