GARETH SOUTHGATE has been urged to replace Jordan Pickford with Jack Butland ahead of Euro 2024.
Butland was snubbed an England call-up last month despite Rangers hero Kenny Miller thinking his inclusion should be a ‘no-brainer’.
Despite his recent resurgence as Rangers’ No1, Southgate again called on Jordan Pickford, Sam Johnstone and Aaron Ramsdale instead.
Butland was disappointed not to be recognised by the England boss, but admitted it was always going to be a challenge.
He insists he has “worked hard enough” for a spot and reckons if he keeps performing for Gers then anything can happen.
As does Miller – who has strongly pushed for Southgate to reconsider his options.
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He insists Butland should not only make the squad, but that he’s as good as current first choice goalkeeper Pickford.
Miller exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone: “It’s pretty straightforward for me; you’re looking at the goalkeepers who Southgate now has available to choose from.
“Who is playing well, what type of situation they’re in and what type of character they are… well Butland is a known quantity to anyone who has shared a dressing room with him.
“To be honest I’m disappointed for Jack that he didn’t get that opportunity to get back into the England set-up.
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“It was almost nailed on that he was going to be a part of things.
“Listen, he’s as good as Pickford; I wouldn’t take Pickford over Butland, but Pickford’s got the shirt at this moment in time.
“I’m not suggesting Butland comes in and takes that number one shirt… but when you’re looking at guys who can come in and complement that, and help drive their teammates to be better, for me Butland is right up there.
“You’re talking about someone who is playing at a big club, going for a league title, so he definitely displays the right characteristics on that front.
“He’s nearing the end of a season where he could end up winning multiple trophies and he’s had a big, big say in that.
“So for me, if you want somebody – maybe not to come in and be the number one – to come and be a really positive influence on a group of players, England could do a lot worse than having Butland as one of their three goalkeepers out in Germany this summer.
“I’m sure Southgate will have looked at it and will have thought about it. Maybe all eyes will be on the Old Firm game this weekend, too.
“Jack’s barely put a foot wrong, and you can’t really say that about many goalkeepers at this stage of the season.”
Butland, 31, hasn’t played for England in over three years, with his last appearance coming against Wales in November 2020.
He lost his place after he fell out of favour at Crystal Palace and hasn’t been given a spot in the manager’s squad since.
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Meanwhile, Pickford was slaughtered by England fans for his mistake which gifted Belgium their opening goal in last week’s friendly.
Elsewhere, Ramsdale has been confined to the Arsenal bench for six months, Nick Pope is out for the season and Johnstone is struggling for game time at Crystal Palace.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
