Missing out on the England squad will have been a major disappointment for Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland - but there's still hope he could be a Euros wildcard.

That's the thoughts of Barry Ferguson, who played almost 300 matches for the Light Blues across two spells. Butland, 31, has been in sensational form since joining Rangers on a free transfer in the summer and had reportedly caught the eye of England national team coaches on the back of keeping 17 clean sheets from 29 Scottish Premiership matches this season.

But despite being tipped for a long-awaited recall to Gareth Southgate's squad, Butland was snubbed by the Three Lions boss, who opted to select Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal) and Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace) for the home friendly double header against Brazil and Belgium. 

Southgate's decision surprised Ferguson especially since Johnstone has been in and out of the Palace team, while Ramsdale has only made 11 first team appearances during the 2023/24 campaign. 

Speaking on Go Radio, the Ibrox hero said: "I tell you something, he must be really disappointed to not get into that England squad, and I'm not just saying that because he's Rangers goalkeeper.

READ MORE: Rangers winger Ross McCausland to miss Northern Ireland friendly match

"I look at the three goalkeepers, and I know (Jordan) Pickford's the number one, Sam Johnstone and (Aaron) Ramsdale are the other ones but I personally think Jack's as good as them if not better.

"But listen I liked his interview after it, he was disappointed but he just needs to get his head down and continue to work hard and hopefully try and get into that squad for the Euros.

"It doesn't look like it. I thought this would maybe have been his chance to showcase what he's done all season." 

Fellow pundit Peter Grant chimed in and claimed: "I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if he did (get called up). Obviously Pickford's number one as you say, but I genuinely think he's not the sort of guy you would need to take and get to know the group. He's such a nice boy, he's such a good boy.

"He would have no problem going into a new group so it's not as if you need to say you'll bring him along, not play him any minutes and then he needs to intertwine with the group or whatever. He could go in there, absolutely no problems. So, I still wouldn't be surprised if he goes to the Euros, and for me he deserves to be in there anyway."

READ MORE: Neil Lennon wants answers after unacceptable Dundee v Rangers call-off

Ex-Rangers captain Ferguson then furthered his point by highlighting Butland's leadership qualities in addition to his excellent goalkeeping exploits this season and dismissed any notion of him leaving Ibrox in the summer.  

He added: "I've seen him enough and it's not just his saves. He's very vocal at the back as well. He's obviously grew into a real leader as he's got older, and listen he just needs to keep producing the goods that he's done with Rangers all season. 

"I'm not surprised that clubs are going to be looking at him but he's at an age, when I've spoken to him, he really enjoys it. He enjoys the intensity, he enjoys the pressure side of it, and I'm unsure that he would get that if he goes back down to like a bottom half Premier League team. 

"So, hopefully he's here at Rangers for a few more years yet."