Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland should be in England squad, says Ally McCoist - 'Very surprised and disappointed'

Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland should have been included in the latest England squad, according to TNT Sports expert Ally McCoist.

England manager Gareth Southgate named his squad for upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, choosing Everton’s Jordan Pickford, Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Crystal Palace’s Sam Johnstone as his three stoppers.

Butland was expected to be in contention for selection after impressing for Rangers this season. With rival Nick Pope injured, and Ramsdale getting hardly any game time at Arsenal, his chances of a first call-up since 2019 looked even greater.

With Butland in action for Rangers against Benfica in the UEFA Europa League round of 16, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, McCoist expressed his amazement at the 31-year-old’s exclusion.

"I'm not in a position to tell Gareth his job, but I’m about to now," he said. "I’m absolutely amazed that he is not in the England squad."

McCoist also described the idea that Butland might have been overlooked because he did not have many saves to make at Rangers as “a load of nonsense".

He said: "Along with that logic, maybe Sam Johnstone’s in the squad because he’s a busy goalkeeper with Palace. I’m not so sure.

"Ramsdale hasn’t been playing - Mikel Arteta’s made it abundantly clear that David Raya is his No. 1.

"Jack Butland has been playing on a regular basis up here. And in my opinion, has been playing extremely well. I’ve got to say, I'm very, very surprised, and disappointed for Jack that he's not in the squad coming up for the two games."

Butland commented on his omission after Rangers were knocked out of the Europa League by a 1-0 defeat to Benfica.

"If your name is being chucked in there, it means you are doing something right," he said. "So, for me, when I found that I wasn't in the squad, it was just back to normal, continue trying to do what I've been doing here.

"That's the only reason why I've been in that discussion in the first place is I’ve been playing and playing well. So the minute that went out, it was just all eyes on this game.

"No question, could I, should I, doesn't really matter. I've worked hard enough, I've done enough. And whatever decision there will be three fantastic goalkeepers going.

"I'll just keep knocking on the door, and see what happens."

England’s fixtures against Brazil and Belgium will be the last matches before Southgate picks a provisional squad for Euro 2024.

Kalvin Phillips missed out on a spot in the squad, while Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon were called up for the first time.

Butland has made nine appearances for England, his last coming in September 2019.

He joined Rangers in June 2023, and has since kept a league-leading 17 clean sheets in the Scottish Premiership.

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