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HAPPY JACK! Goalkeeper Butland wants to remain at Rangers after Ibrox chiefs reassured him over club’s future plans

HAPPY JACK! Goalkeeper Butland wants to remain at Rangers after Ibrox chiefs reassured him over club’s future plans

Jack Butland insists he sees his future at Rangers after receiving assurances over the club’s ambitions.

And the 31-year-old goalkeeper hopes the Ibrox side reject any incoming transfer bids for his services after admitting he wants to be a success there.

Butland has become a senior figure at the club since joining on a free transfer from Crystal Palace last summer.

An impressive first season in Scottish football saw him tipped for a recall to the England squad, with Nottingham Forest’s move for the keeper rebuffed by Rangers in January.

Warned that he needs to sell before he can buy, Rangers boss Philippe Clement has repeatedly said that Butland is one of the players he can’t afford to lose.

And, ahead of Tuesday night’s critical Champions League qualifier against Dynamo Kyiv at Hampden, the former England No1 claims he would be happy to stay after grilling the Rangers hierarchy on their aspirations.

HAPPY JACK! Goalkeeper Butland wants to remain at Rangers after Ibrox chiefs reassured him over club’s future plans

Jack Butland says he would be happy to stay at Rangers after assurances over future

Ex-England keeper Butland has been content at Ibrox after move from Crystal Palace

Ex-England keeper Butland has been content at Ibrox after move from Crystal Palace

Butland accompanies young keeper Lewis Budinauckas on to the training ground

Butland accompanies young keeper Lewis Budinauckas on to the training ground

‘I think we have a good relationship,’ said Butland. ‘There is an idea of what we want to achieve and, ultimately, I want to be successful here.

‘We have had conversations. My conversation with the club has been what are we doing, where are we going, how far are we going and how far are we pushing? Any player at any club, that’s what you want to know – the ambition. For me, no cloudy areas over that … I am looking forward to the season and playing as well as I can.’

Butland speaks to the Press ahead of vital clash with Dynamo Kyiv at Hampden

Butland speaks to the Press ahead of vital clash with Dynamo Kyiv at Hampden

Manager Philippe Clement was happy to hear Butland says he wants to stay

Manager Philippe Clement was happy to hear Butland says he wants to stay

Clement and his staff oversee training session ahead of Dynamo Kiev game

Clement and his staff oversee training session ahead of Dynamo Kiev game

Goalkeeper Butland looks relaxed before huge qualifier with the Ukrainian side

Goalkeeper Butland looks relaxed before huge qualifier with the Ukrainian side

Asked who he had spoken to about Rangers’ plans to make inroads on Celtic and become a Champions League club, Butland replied: ‘Everybody, you get the opportunity to speak with directors on planes, pick their brains and speak to people.

‘That is what this club is all about. You’ve got to be together and it is a concern of mine. I am not concerned, but it is good to speak with those people and know where the club is at, the direction and optimism … as a player there are things you want to know and be a part of. I hope my opinion is sometimes taken and matters as well and it’s a good relationship. I really enjoy how things are going.’

Rangers drew 1-1 with Dynamo Kyiv in the first leg of their third qualifying clash in Poland last week.

Victory on Tuesday night would secure a joust with FC Twente or RB Salzburg in the play-off round, with £40million on the line.

That windfall would nullify the need to sell the likes of Butland, and manager Clement welcomed the goalkeeper’s pledge to stay put.

The Belgian said: ‘Jack feels what is going on inside the building, what is going on inside the club and the squad, how things are evolving here in every sense. Things that fans cannot see because they only see the game and the result, and you guys also. It is a really big signal, I think, that somebody after his season and with his quality is saying that. I think it is a really symbolic thing.’


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