Jack Butland’s sudden withdrawal from Rangers’ starting XI has been explained after the goalkeeper revealed a significant life update on social media.
Butland was set to start in the Premiership clash against Dundee at Ibrox but was replaced at the last minute by backup Liam Kelly. The change came after Butland completed his warm-up, with Kelly stepping in and securing a clean sheet as Vaclav Cerny’s goal moved Philippe Clement’s side into second place in the table, ahead of Aberdeen.
Manager Philippe Clement declined to disclose the reason for Butland’s absence during his post-match interview, only confirming that the keeper would return for the Boxing Day game against St Mirren. Clement added that Butland wished to keep the matter private. However, the former Manchester United stopper later took to Instagram to share the happy news that his wife had gone into labor, and they had welcomed a new addition to their family.
Butland also showed his appreciation for Kelly’s performance, sharing a post of his teammate walking out of the Ibrox tunnel before kickoff, captioning it, “Deserved that partner,” in recognition of Kelly’s clean sheet and solid display against Dundee.
