Kris Boyd shuts down Rangers myth about Jack Butland as he warns Barry Ferguson what he CAN'T do in Bilbao

Boyd doesn't reckon Butland is 'done' despite Barry Ferguson's gutsy call to drop him

Kris Boyd has warned Rangers going long against Athletic Club is a recipe for disaster – as he shut out the theory that Jack Butland is 'done' at Ibrox.

Barry Ferguson and his team are in the Basque Country for Thursday night's Europa League quarter-final second leg where they are looking to build on a positive 0-0 draw from last week.

They had to do it the hard way after Robin Propper's early sending off but they came through it, even despite finishing with NINE men after Dujon Sterling's late injury – which is set to keep the defender out long-term and further deplete Ferguson's options for the Bilbao showdown.

But asked on Sky Sports if Rangers have a chance, a positive Boyd sees no reason why not. As long as they don't fall into the trap of going too direct against the La Liga high-flyers.

He said: "Rangers have shown they can frustrate them. They've got pace on the counter-attack with Cerny. You'd imagine Diomande will come back in and play that role in behind Cyriel Dessers, with his pace.

"I think it's important Rangers don't go long with direct balls. Athletic showed in terms of physicality, they can deal with that. It needs to be down the sides, whether it's Cerny, Diomande or the wing-backs.

"Injuries are now going to change it and I wouldn't be surprised if Yilmaz goes into the right wing-back position, Jefte on the left and Tavernier goes back into the back three. We'll need to wait and see.

"But Rangers will try and frustrate and see where that takes them. I wouldn't rule Rangers out of going through because we know they can be a totally different team in Europe."

Ferguson made the gutsy call to drop Jack Butland for Liam Kelly last week after a string of concerning performances from the Englishman.

That paid off as the Scotland keeper saved a penalty from Alex Berenguer, but Boyd doesn't believe it's the end of the road for Butland at Rangers. Far from it.

Asked if the former Manchester United shotstopper was 'done' at Ibrox, Boyd firmly responded: "I wouldn't say he's done. Obviously Jack Butland is going through a difficult period right now, he's made a few mistakes which is unlike him.

"He'll bounce back, every goalkeeper makes mistakes, and when they do they're highlighted more than with outfield players.

"Butland probably knows that if you're not performing at a big club, there's a likelihood that you will lose your place.

"Liam Kelly has had a career where he's been a number one, I wouldn't put him in the backup category. He's been brought into Rangers to push Butland, and if he wasn't performing, there would be the opportunity to take it.

"He came in, he did well against Celtic and Aberdeen, but he was left out for the Manchester United game when Jack Butland came back. But he's pushed Jack all the way and now you're thinking it's his opportunity, and Butland's going to have to wait.

"It was a big decision for Barry to make, he made it, and he made the save from the penalty. But you imagine he's going to be a lot busier tomorrow night."