- Jack Butland errors and poor distribution exposed again in Rangers’ 3–2 defeat to Motherwell.
- Advanced stats highlight performance gap despite low Motherwell shot volume and modest xG conceded.
- Pierce Charles emerges as summer target amid growing doubts over Butland’s fit in Danny Rohl’s system.
Rangers went down to Motherwell yesterday at Ibrox with Jens Berthel Askou’s side triumphing in a five-goal thriller in Govan.
The Steelmen raced into a two-goal first-half lead before a Youssef Chermiti double restored parity.
However, a late strike from Emmanuel Longelo secured three points for the Well right at the end.
For the second time in three years Rangers have surrendered the title advantage with a home defeat to the North Lanarkshire side.
Jack Butland at fault as Rangers’ title hopes fade
The full Gers squad had an off day, but large portions of criticism have fallen at the feet of goalkeeper Jack Butland.
The former England international allowed Lukas Fadinger’s opener to squirm right through him for the opening goal.
He was powerless to stop either of Longelo’s strikes, with the winner taking a huge deflection off the head of Manny Fernandez.
Jack Butland distribution disaster
However, overall, the Steelmen only had five shots on target.
His xG against was only 1.06.
This means he conceded three, when only expected to lose one.
His distribution was also highlighted, with Celtic-linked Motherwell keeper Calum Ward outshining the Gers’ stopper at the opposite end of the pitch.
Butland had a 62% pass accuracy rating across the 90 minutes with 23 out of 37 passes finding a teammate.
The damning stat is in his long ball distribution as Rangers looked to hit Motherwell on the counter.
Only three out of 17 attempted long passes found their mark.
This accuracy stat sits at a damning 18%.
Pierce Charles links return
Butland is a decent shot-stopper on his day, but his abilities just do not align with the system preferred by Danny Rohl.
A new goalkeeper looks set to be the first position to be targeted in the summer transfer window.
One name that does not go away is Sheffield Wednesday keeper Pierce Charles.
Despite conceding a high volume of goals as the Owls headed towards relegation from the English Championship this season following financial turmoil, he has had zero personal errors leading to a goal.
Butland meanwhile has had three in the Premiership.
Charles is also only 20-year-old and has already been hailed by former Gers and Wednesday forward Josh Windass as “the best in the world” in his position.
His ability with his feet is also of a high standard.
Sheffield Wednesday podcaster Matt Johnston previously described the Northern Irish stopper as “better than some midfielders” with the ball at his feet.
The Wednesday Till I Die host also said: “He is a very modern ball-playing goalkeeper, arguably one of the best in England outside the top flight,” he said.
“Pound for pound, you’re hard pushed to find a better ball-playing keeper outside the top division. He is that good with the ball at his feet.
“Short passing, long sprayed balls, zipped passes to break the lines, he can do it all.”
Read Rangers analysis
Butland’s struggles in distribution and system fit are now becoming as significant as his shot-stopping inconsistencies, and with Rangers expected to reshape key areas this summer, the goalkeeping position is emerging as an early priority in the rebuild.
This is a necessity for Rohl in the summer, even if Rangers somehow still win the title.
