Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland says he jumped at the chance to move to Ibrox so he could play regular first-team football once again.

The 30-year-old did not play a single minute last season, even after he joined Manchester United on loan from Crystal Palace during the January transfer window. Asked whether it was a hard choice leaving England, Butland said that, even though he was a United supporter, he was already tired of sitting on the bench:

“It wasn’t difficult. Joining Manchester United was a great opportunity to join a club I supported as a kid and learn from the best and things like that but you quickly get to a point where you realise just how much you miss playing yourself and how much you miss the winning feeling.”

“Rangers had always been there for a few years but it never quite got to a point where I had a decision to make and this summer it got to that point. It wasn’t a difficult decision to make, it’s an incredible club to join with the history and being successful is what you want as a player.”

Following the departure of Allan McGregor, Butland will be handed the gloves for the start of the 2023/24 season and it will be hoped that he can get back into the swing of things pretty quickly, considering he hasn’t played any competitive football for over a year.

Butland played his last match just under 14 months ago

19th May 2022 was the last time that Butland played, conceding three goals for Palace in a 3-2 defeat to Everton during a Premier League fixture.

The former England international will, therefore, need preseason more than most. The Gers take on Newcastle in their first official friendly on July 18th before matches versus Hamburg, Olympiakos and Hoffenheim.

Michael Beale’s side take on Kilmarnock in their first league game at Rugby Park on August 5th.