GER THE VOICE

Rangers’ John Souttar and Robin Propper praised by Jack Butland after side lost ‘voice’ in the summer

He says they should not be written off in their next match

Philippe Clement breaks silence on Ianis Hagi's return to Rangers first-team training as he opens up on star's future
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Inside Rangers player's signing day

THEY lost a powerful voice in the summer.

Now Jack Butland reckons John Souttar and Robin Propper are helping Rangers roar again.

Jack Butland has not conceded in four matchesCredit: Andrew Barr
But he’s thanking John SouttarCredit: Getty
And Robin PropperCredit: Getty
Connor Goldson left a huge void to fillCredit: Willie Vass

Connor Goldson was an Ibrox defensive mainstay for the best part of six years.

Following his departure, boss Philippe Clement had to search for the right pairing that would give his new-look side a foundation on which to build.

Six clean sheets in their last seven games would suggest that in Souttar and Propper he’s at last found what he was looking for.

Keeper Butland – who saved a penalty against Hibs at the weekend – has undoubtedly played his part too.

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But ahead of his side’s crucial Europa League clash against Lyon the former England international paid tribute to two guys leading from the front.

Butland said: “It’s been huge,  I think it’s six [clean sheets] in the last seven. 

“Hopefully we’re going to keep that going. 

“It gives us a real platform to play.

“If you start conceding goals and it becomes a habit of yours, then winning games, especially the game on the weekend, becomes a game where you start to concede after a little recovery time and perhaps not being at your best. 

“If you lose that defensive stability that we’ve got, then those games become really difficult. 

My mum told me not to sign for Rangers despite being given a VIP tour of Ibrox by club chiefs
MUM'S THE WORD
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“That’s something that we’ve prided ourselves on and something that we need to continue and certainly that starts again tomorrow.

“John and Robin have both been brilliant.

“I think for someone like Robin to come in, he’s an experienced defender. 

“He’s played in some great clubs and at good levels as well.

“He’s stepped in and I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him and I think there’s even more to come.

“Connor moving on has allowed John to play perhaps on his more favoured side, but I think he did fantastic for us on the left as well last year. 

“He’s someone that gives everything for the club. 

“I think he’s grown incredibly as a defender and I think he’s matured into a really top, top set-and-a-half.

“It’s great and I love having him in front of me and I think as a partnership they’re growing.

“I think that shows if that partnership is not quite right, clean sheets can sometimes be hard to come by. 

“Not many people can be as loud as Connor, but that was a huge strength of his and something that we really valued. 

“John is a voice as well.

“Again, we have a leadership group. 

“He’s an important part of that, not just for off-the-field matters, but for pitch stuff as well.

“I think he’s certainly leading with his performances at the minute and vocally as well.

“He’s a fantastic defender and we’re lucky to have him. 

“He’s such a huge character as well. 

“He’s obviously had his times, but to keep coming back and to get himself back at the level it takes a lot.”

After last week’s memorable win in Malmo, French giants Lyon represent a significant step up in class.

Pierre Sage’s star studded side includes the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Alexandre Lacazette, Said Benrahma and Nemanja Matic in their ranks.

They are rightly ranked among the tournament favourites.

But Butland and Rangers have been here before,

And the keeper is warning against writing the Light Blues off.

He said: “It’s the challenge, the underdog story.

“People that don’t think you can. 

“That’s always something that keeps this club coming back. 

“If you want to write us off, go for it.

“But we’ll relish the challenge

“That’s something we’ve done in the European games. 

“It’s something we need to continue throughout all the competitions we’re in.

“But they’re great opportunities for people to perform and showcase what they’re about, which we have done. 

“I hope we do a little bit more this year.”

Butland is relishing the prospect of a packed house at Ibrox as Rangers return home in Europe for the first time this season.

Butland said: “We’re coming off a good few weeks, good few results. 

“So there’s good confidence in the camp.

“Great result away from home last week, followed that up with a win on the weekend.

“So confidence is high.

“Because it’s a new format, it’s a little bit new to us all. 

“We obviously have great confidence in ourselves and what we can do at home and what we’ve done in the past at home.

“But we’ve had some great results away from home as well, and that certainly helps.

“I think that’s going to help us hugely in this format. 

“So getting off to a good start puts you in a good position in that league format, and hopefully we can follow that tomorrow night. 

“So the belief is definitely there.

“They’re huge games, it’s a huge club. 

“To be involved in high-profile games, important games, against good European opposition, there’s not many players that are going to turn that down and not want to be a part of that. 

“So whether it’s as an individual or as a collective,these are huge games for yourself as a player.

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“And for us as a club, we’ve got a great history and we’ve done well in the competition in recent years.

“We’re looking forward to hopefully following that up.” 

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