Gareth Southgate scouts England star in Old Firm derby but he is instantly involved in freak blunder goal

1 month ago 48

JACK BUTLAND was on the wrong end of a freak Old Firm goal just seconds into his England audition.

Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate was at Ibrox to watch the Rangers keeper in a thriller 3-3 draw against rivals Celtic.

Willie Vass
Gareth Southgate is at the Ibrex Stadium to watch England prospect Jack Butland[/caption]
PA
Butland conceded in the opening 21 seconds of the game[/caption]
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Celtic Daizen Maeda gave his side an early lead[/caption]
skysports
Southgate is hoping to scout another England No1 at today’s clash[/caption]

But just 21 seconds in, Butland conceded to Celtic star Daizen Maeda.

Forgotten England stopper Joe Hart booted the ball from just outside his own box into the opposition half and forced a horror blunder from James Tavernier.

The defender’s clearance then cannoned off a pressing Maeda and past Butland into the net.

Butland was signed by then manager Michael Beale, the ex-Stoke City keeper has now become one of the Light Blues‘ stand-out performers and a contender for the club’s Player of the year.

And the standard of his goalkeeping for his new club has heaped pressure on Gareth Southgate to name him in his England squad for the Euros.

Butland missed out on a very much expected call-up when the national squad was named last month for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

And the 31-year-old hoped to impress the Three Lions boss this afternoon on his home turf.

But the Bhoys had other plans after they were handed a penalty which saw them extend their lead 2-0 after Matt O’Riley slipped the ball past Butland.

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Butland has spent most of his career on loan but has looked to have found a long-term club in Rangers.

His most recent loan spell came for Manchester United as backup to David de Gea but he failed to make an appearance.

He does already have nine caps for his national team and was named in their squad for the 2018 World Cup, but will be hoping for more game time this summer.

Meanwhile, Rangers did bite back to earn late 3-3 draw with their long-time rivals.

James Tavernier’s controversial penalty pulled them back into the match after the referee turned back on Fabio Silva’s yellow card for diving after a VAR check.

Cyriel Dessers equaliser was then disallowed for a foul by Tom Lawrence in the build-up before Abdallah Sima did pull Rangers level late on.

Then Adam Idah regained the lead for Celtic in the 88th minute but Rabbi Matondo denied the Bhoys a chance to take home all three points with his stoppage time goal.

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