Clement explains Jack Butland Rangers pull-out and reveals when he'll be back

Yesterday at 12:40 PM

Rangers fans were worried when it emerged Jack Butland had pulled out of the win over Dundee.

The goalkeeper was, as usual, named in the starting XI today and due to take his place between the sticks at Gers’ home against Tony Docherty’s side.

Butland went ahead and did the warm up as he limbered up for the action along with his teammates.

But after the warm-up, Rangers then announced a late change to the line-up with Liam Kelly coming in to play in goals and mystery surrounding the reasons why.

It was the 28-year-old’s first appearance since returning to the club from Motherwell in the summer and he marked it with a clean sheet for a 1-0 victory.

Light Blues fans will still have been concerned around the number one’s situation and how many games he may have been out for.

Butland recently made a pledge for the next Celtic clash but there could have been doubt he would miss the January clash among others.

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Clement explains Butland situation and timeline

But boss Clement has played down any concern and insisted Butland will be back for the next game, against St Mirren on Boxing Day.

It seems the 31-year-old wasn’t actually injured and had to withdraw from the game due to “personal reasons.”

But the manager wasn’t at liberty to actually reveal what the issue was at this stage.

He told BBC Sportsound: “People don’t need to worry about Jack. It was for personal reasons and really short-term.

“Jack will be back next game. But he probably doesn’t want me to tell what it was about.”

Kelly solid on Rangers second debut

Kelly had big shoes, and gloves, to fill when standing in for Butland today.

He he also hasn’t played any first-team football since turning out for the Steelmen last season, so was being brought in from the cold.

He acquitted himself well though and while he wasn’t called into action much, he did what he had to well and also looked composed and solid on the ball.

Rangers News gave Kelly a 6/10 in our player ratings.