Interim manager Barry Ferguson insisted dropped Rangers keeper Jack Butland still has a “huge part” at Ibrox after replacement Liam Kelly saved a penalty in the pulsating goalless Europa League draw with Athletic Bilbao.
Ferguson made the big call to drop the Englishman for the first leg of the quarter-final tie in Govan after a series of errors and in the 79th minute – after defender Robin Propper was sent off in the 13th minute for a challenge on Inaki Williams – Kelly sensationally saved a spot-kick from Alex Berenguer.
The Gers valiantly held out against Ernesto Valverde’s side through 12 added minutes and have plenty to play for in the second in Spain next Thursday night.
🎙️ Barry Ferguson spoke to the media following tonight’s match against Athletic Club | #UEL pic.twitter.com/k8M8ZdYSGc
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) April 10, 2025
Ferguson said of his goalkeeper switch: “It was one of the toughest things I’ve had to do.
“Firstly, I think Jack Buckland is a top goalkeeper. Secondly, I’ve got a very, very good relationship with Jack.
“I’ve known Jack a long time, he was a young kid coming through Birmingham when I went down to play for Birmingham in the Premier League.
“Thirdly, I’ve got to know it’s hurting Jack and I’ve got to be mindful of that as well. Because I care for him.
“I just had to make a decision and it was a tough decision when I spoke to him. I could see it was hurting. You go with decisions.
“It’s not one that I decided on Saturday night or Sunday. I thought long and hard about it.
“When I spoke to him, it was a tough 10-15 minutes conversation.
But, listen, Jack’s still got a huge part to play here. In terms of Liam coming in, I thought he’d done well tonight.”
🎙️ Nico Raskin spoke to @RangersTV following tonight’s match against Athletic Club | #UEL pic.twitter.com/ttLxcGJMck
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) April 10, 2025
Ferguson claimed clear-the-air talks after the demoralising 2-0 defeat by Hibernian on Saturday “sunk in” to his players, with Rangers ending the game with nine men after Dujon Sterling had to go off injured with all the substitutes used.
The former Gers captain promised to make big changes with two enforced as centre-back John Souttar and midfielder Mohamed Diomande were suspended.
Aside from dropping Butland, Ferguson also left out Jefte, Connor Barron and Hamza Igamane and brought in Propper, Leon Balogun and Ridvan Yilmaz, 18-year-old midfielder Bailey Rice – making only his second start and who was taken from the field in the second half on a stretcher with a neck brace on and attacker Ianis Hagi.
He said: “Really proud of the effort and the commitment that my players showed tonight.
“Obviously difficult when you go down to 10 men.
“What I’ve seen tonight out there was a team that took the instructions on.
“Obviously the chat we had on Monday really sunk in. They took the information in as well and that’s important.
“I think anybody watching the game tonight would have seen a team that will run through brick walls for each other.
“I’m proud of the guys, how they took that information on. It’s not the way we wanted to play this game.
“But I thought overall, the boys, after letting them know a few long truths on Saturday and Monday, I’ve got to give them a lot of credit for tonight.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Neuer vs Auckland City Fabrizio Romano when asked about the Ballon d'Or. lol Oh no This Rayan X Cherki They knew he wouldn’t save it …Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, FootballWTF247, originaltrollfootball, PL__OOC, MaguireSkills)...
Paris Saint-Germain had arguably the most dominant Champions League final win in the tournament's history.Beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the Munich final, it is a performance that will be talked about for many years to come.With a core of exciting young players, this PSG side could dominate Europe for years.The city of Paris finally has a European champion, and their team is expected to go from streng...
Xabi Alonso during a Real Madrid training sessionLiverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is supposedly being eyed up by Real Madrid ahead of next summer, as the Spanish giant's new transfer policy takes shape.According to MARCA, Real Madrid is lining up a move for Konate, but only if his Liverpool contract runs down to the point of expiration in 2026. It is also hoping to sign Myles Lewis-Skelly from A...
The Italian champs laid down the law to Manchester rivals City and United over deals for their exiled wingers.Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summerAlejandro Garnacho is like to depart Old TraffordUnited want £70m for Garnacho but are yet to receive an offer for the 20-year-old Argentina international.However, City will be prepared to accept a fee of around £45m for Grealish, 29...
Arteta makes transfer decision on Arsenal defensive duoArsenal boss Mikel Arteta has reached the decision over the future of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori, with the defensive duo finding themselves on AC Milan's radar.Man Utd eye Atalanta goalkeeper Carnesecchi to replace OnanaThe Red Devils have set their sights on Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi as they continue their quest to...
Spain v France - UEFA Nations League 2025 Semi-finalRayan Cherki has laid out his ambitions after joining Manchester City and has set his sights on winning the Ballon d'Or. WHAT HAPPENED?New Manchester City signing Cherki has already set his sights on winning the Ballon d'Or at his new club, with the young attacking midfielder sharing his ambition of following in the footsteps of fellow team-mate ...
Athletic Club v Rangers FC - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second LegAthletic Club have sent a warning to Barcelona over their pursuit of Nico Williams telling La Blaugrana to meet the player's release clause. FBL-EUR-C3-ATHLETIC BILBAO-ROMAWHAT HAPPENED?The seemingly never-ending transfer saga between Williams and La Blaugrana took another turn this week, as representatives of Athletic...
Southampton FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier LeagueMarcus Rashford has been training in Spain to build up his fitness ahead of a potential transfer as Barcelona track the Manchester United outcast.WHAT HAPPENED?Rashford is training in Marbella during the post-season in an attempt to be fit and raring to go for the 2025-26 campaign. The England international is facing an uncertain future, with United ...
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Ange Postecoglou has been approached by Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli and is considering their offer after being sacked by Tottenham.WHAT HAPPENED?Postecoglou is considering an approach from Al-Ahli as he weighs up his next move after being sacked by Tottenham. The Sun claim the Saudi Pro League outfit have offered the Greek-Austral...
AFC Bournemouth v Everton FC - Premier LeagueBournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie went on a spending spree with his partner Georgina Bell, purchasing six properties in Glasgow in one day.WHAT HAPPENED?A report from The Sun reveals that Bournemouth midfielder Christie recently expanded his property empire by going on a seven-figure spending spree, purchasing as many as six flats in Glasgow in one d...
- 1 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 2 Laura Woods gives update on post-pregnancy body
- 3 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 4 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 5 Tottenham make 'mega £70m bid for Bryan Mbeumo' as Man Utd fear hijack
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Daily Laugh - Liverpool are spending big
- 8 Portugal and France play out draw to start U21 Euro campaign
- 9 Baldanzi scores winner as Italy beat Romania to start U21 Euros
- 10 Man Utd ANNOUNCE Matheus Cunha's arrival