The nine-time England international also featured against Kilmarnock and the Gers manager will be grateful that the 1.
90m giant has taken over the team between the posts.
Rangers were comfortable for most of the 90 minutes, but things might have been different had Jack Butland not been on his toes.
Motherwell FC v Rangers FC – Cinch Scottish Premiership Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Rangers win between the posts with Jack Butland Big stopper and miss from corner at Ibrox Well done it was a quiet afternoon.
Sometimes when the goalkeeper comes and misses a cross he gets penalized, but on this occasion he did a good enough job stopping a free header and denying Killie’s attackers.
But that wasn’t his only involvement in the first half.
Connor Goldson got out of control and tried to put pressure on in midfield when he didn’t need to.
He left striker Kyle Vassell unrestrained and John Souter in stitches.
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Kilmarnock, like some teams in the Scottish Premiership, are a nightmare to play against when you have to defend your lead.
A perfect example can be found on the first day of the game.
But this time they were thwarted by the brilliance of the Rangers goalkeeper, as Jack Butland took full advantage of the moment to apply pressure and deploy it at just the right moment.
That was as great a save as he would make all season, and just as important a save.
Andy Gorham, Allan McGregor, Stephen Cross and Chris Woods have been masters of making big saves when it matters most in my lifetime.
The Rangers goalkeeper can’t do anything during the game, but he has to have the concentration needed to make stops like Jack Butland.
That could have been the difference between his 1-0 loss and his 2-0 lead at half-time.
That might be the difference between winning and losing the league.
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