GRAEME Souness has claimed that Jack Butland is currently playing as well as any English goalkeeper and stated the Rangers man should be in his national squad for the Euro 2024 finals in Germany this summer.

Gareth Southgate admitted at the Nations League draw in Paris last month that he is seriously considering handing the nine times capped 30-year-old, who made his last appearance for his country in 2018, a recall.  

Everton player Jordan Pickford is currently his first choice keeper – but Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal, Nick Pope of Newcastle United and Sam Johnstone of Crystal Palace have either not been featuring regularly for their clubs or have been injured.

Ex-Scotland midfielder Souness thinks Butland, who was in the England squad for Euro 2012 and Russia 2018, would have no difficulty making the step up to international level if he was drafted in to Southgate’s set-up. 

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“Jack Butland is a top goalkeeper and I personally think, because I live in England and watch more English games than Scottish games, he should be in the mix for going to the Euros,” he said.

“I think he’s every bit as good as any England goalkeeper that’s out there at the moment, if not better. Pickford is in the box seat so it’s his shirt for the moment. But Jack is a top class performer.

The Herald: Graeme Souness promotes Viaplay's coverage of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter-finals at“Some fool gave me some stick when I said I was amazed that he’s not at a Manchester United or a Liverpool or one of the really big clubs and playing for England. That was seen as a criticism of him signing for Rangers or that he was too good for Rangers.

“Well, Rangers should be jumping up and down that they have a goalkeeper of his quality because I really believe he should be in the England mix. He is a top goalkeeper.”

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Souness added: “You don’t win any trophies without a proper goalkeeper. And in many ways, being a goalkeeper at Rangers, Celtic or any big football club - where you dominate the ball and are on the front foot all the time - you have to be fully concentrated.

“It’s easier to be a goalkeeper when you have corners and shots coming your way on a regular basis. But when most of the play is at the other end you’ve got to be concentrated in a different way. Jack has done that, he does that.

“Rangers doing well in Europe and doing well in the Scottish Premiership is great for Jack. It’s great for Scottish football and it’s great for Rangers. Winning games is great for everyone involved.”

Graeme Souness was promoting Viaplay’s live and exclusive coverage of Hibernian v Rangers on Sunday. Viaplay is available to stream from viaplay.com or via your TV provider on Sky, Virgin TV and Amazon Prime as an add-on subscription.