Outgoing Jack Butland has hinted at the role he could fulfil at Rangers as he opened up on his role as David de Gea's understudy at Manchester United.
The Old Trafford back-up will be out of contract this summer when his contract at parent club Crystal Palace expires and the England cap is wanted as part of Michael Beale's Ibrox overhaul as the rebuild kicks into high gear with the Scottish Premiership season rapidly reaching its conclusion. With just two games left for Rangers the first new recruit of the summer is expected to be unveiled during the clash with Hearts – with a new goalkeeper also high up on the agenda.
Light Blues legend Allan McGregor will lead the free agent exodus this summer when the 41-year-old's contract expires, and the iconic shot-stopper will leave a massive void on the pitch as well as in the dressing room. However, Butland has opened up on his unseen role at United that could see him fill McGregor's gloves on and off the pitch.
Despite not playing a single game since joining the Red Devils from Palace in January, the 30-year-old opened up on the move to the English Premier League giants: “I mean you can only be yourself and certainly I felt when I first came in, you're a little bit wary of being too loud or too boisterous and chirpy at times. I'm a happy sort of chirpy character.
“So you tread carefully to begin with, make sure you don't sort of rub anyone up the wrong way, but they're a great group. I've got on really well with everybody.
“We have a great laugh in training, whether it's with some of the attacking players – even just shooting practice with Bruno Fernandes and Fred and things like that. You get a really good rapport with people and everyone's themselves and we have a great time.
“I'm certainly a positive person. I like having a positive impact on people and, you know, I feel extremely positive about myself and where I'm at, at the minute.”
Butland also heaped praise on United's number one De Gea after the Spaniard claimed the Golden Glove award for most clean sheets in the Premier League. He said: "I’ve watched him from a distance for a long time and he’s a fantastic shot stopper. He's a great guy.
"He's been enjoyable to work with. He's been great for me since I've come in, been really positive and helpful, and I've enjoyed working with him. So it's been good fun and he deserves it. I think it might be his second Golden Glove. I’m surprised he hasn't had more, but such is the quality of the league.
"He's a top goalkeeper, he deserves it and he's been vitally important in those clean sheets. Where we're at in the league right now, he’s played a big part in that and he fully deserves the Golden Glove.”
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