Jack Butland fell off at Rangers last season, allowing Liam Kelly to take his position.
Although the goalkeeper has been a mainstay since his arrival, some key mistakes led to Barry Ferguson calling Kelly into action instead at Ibrox.
The second-choice goalkeeper took his opportunity well, but Butland was recalled for the two final games of the campaign.
Now, the 32-year-old’s future at Ibrox lies in the balance as a decision is set to be made this summer, with talks said to be underway upstairs already.
Cammy Bell offers Butland verdict
It is not the first time that Rangers supporters have watched someone change the course of their career at Ibrox.
Cammy Bell’s fatal mistake in the play-offs against Motherwell effectively ended his career in a Gers shirt.
Admittedly, Butland’s mishaps last term weren’t quite up to the same standard, but there has been plenty of speculation about what the future holds already.
At 32-years-old and with a new era set to get underway in Glasgow, Russell Martin has a decision to make over whether Butland has a future where he is.
| Player | Appearances | Clean Sheets | Goals Conceded |
| Butland | 28 | 10 | 31 |
| Kelly | 10 | 4 | 10 |
However, Bell has backed Butland to bounce back from his poor form and reclaim a spot in Martin’s team.
Speaking to the Daily Record (17 June), he said: “We know Jack can do it. He’s just had a bad period. As a goalkeeper, when you go through that rut, it generally comes in twos, threes and fours.”
When asked definitively whether it will be Butland or Kelly wearing the number one shirt next season, Bell replied: “Yeah, the people upstairs will be having that discussion with Russell, is he still the number one?
“I’m hoping Jack does get the opportunity; he’s good enough. Does Jack fit into that mould of being able to play out of the back? Is he comfortable enough with his feet? Or has he identified a goalkeeper who would be better suited to that style of play?
“But Jack’s a top goalkeeper, and he certainly can be number one; he needs to prove it. I’m pretty sure he’s looking forward to the task.”
Martin can give Butland pre-season
Butland may have been shaky for Rangers last season, but the recruitment of a goalkeeper is not the most crucial area for Martin to focus on this summer.
Furthermore, the goalkeeper is incredibly experienced, and in a better environment, he may well be able to pick his standards back up, with talks ongoing above him.
The players will be returning to Rangers soon to get underway with pre-season training, which gives the new manager a brilliant opportunity to assess both of his current options.
If he is not convinced, it will then be the appropriate time for Martin to look elsewhere and bring in a new option this summer.
Butland is a big name at Ibrox, and with several areas needing to be strengthened, he may get one last chance as the 49ers look to stretch their budget far and wide.
