Jack Butland couldn't escape the persevering image of Allan McGregor as he arrived to finalise his move to Rangers - but why would he want to?
The former England stopper finalised a pre-contract switch to Ibrox and becomes Michael Beale's new No.1, replacing the man who played more than 500 times for the club across two spells. Butland's arrival signals a changing of the guard between the sticks and he knows the influence of the man who came before him puts the pressure on.
But he's determined to live up to his predecessor's reputation. He told Rangers TV: “Just walking round the stadium, you see his pictures everywhere so that tells you all you need to know about him. Arguably from my point of view he’s one of the most recognisable players in recent years at Rangers football club.
“From what I hear, he’s a top, top guy but what he’s done for the club and the longevity he’s shown in his spells at the club has been immense. You see his face everywhere with medals round his neck, holding trophies in the air so it’s an a honour to follow on from what he’s done."
McGregor made 109 appearances for Rangers in Europe, more than any other player in the club's history. Butland is hoping to eat into that ever-so-slightly with a prolonged run in the Champions League next season and he admits the European nights at Ibrox are a big part of why he signed.
When asked how big a factor European football was in his signing, he said: "Massive, massive. I have not yet witnessed the crowd here but I have heard plenty of stories. Not just in the last 24 hours of being up here but from friends that I have known that supported the club for a long time or played with the club. That is what it is all about. I am looking forward to seeing that place rocking.
"That is what this club is about, those European nights. You want to be involved in them, you want to play in the Champions League.
“Pre-season is about getting off to a good start and those Champions League qualifiers are the target. It is about winning those games. There won’t be many teams that like coming here, I am not sure they will like playing here once we get going. That is certainly the target and what an honour to be a part of."
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