Key Rangers player open to extending contract at Ibrox - 'I love the challenge'

Butland, who turned 33 earlier this week, joined Rangers in the summer of 2023 and has made 148 appearances across all competitions. His current deal expires in June 2027 and while there have been no formal discussions over a new deal, the England internationalist is settled in Govan and keen to prolong his stay.

Signed on a free transfer from Manchester United by then manager Michael Beale, Butland has become a key part of Rangers’ team. A senior figure in the dressing-room, he has worn the captain’s armband and this season has been one of the side’s better players.

Butland’s early form at Ibrox led to Nottingham Forest showing interest in luring him back to the English Premier League. But after spending multiple seasons as a back-up at Old Trafford and at Crystal Palace, the former Stoke City stopper is revelling in playing every week at Rangers as they bid to pip leaders Hearts and Celtic to the Premiership crown.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s league match against St Mirren, Butland was asked if any discussions have commenced over his long-term future.

“No, we haven't done,” replied Butland. “It's something that's been spoken about at times. I've obviously been very eager and well open to extending that [the contract].

“I love the challenge, I love all about it, I love the way that the club's received me and my family as well as the fan base. It's something that starts to creep into your mind when you get towards the end of a contract. But for me, it's performance driven.

Butland very settled at Rangers

“I'm hoping to finish the season really, really strong and would love to extend that. If it's not something that's happening, I'm still going to do my best to the very end.”

Pressed further as to when talks might come, Butland continued: “I don't know. It doesn't really come from me. I can knock on doors if I want to. It's not something that I've done, but I love it here and I love the challenge. I have come from the get-go and that hasn't changed.”

In the immediate term, Butland and his Rangers teammates are aiming to get back to winning ways when they travel to Paisley on Sunday lunchtime to face St Mirren at the SMiSA Stadium. They have not won since defeating Hearts 4-2 a month ago and exited the Scottish Cup quarter-finals on penalties last weekend against Celtic.

An added layer of intrigue for Sunday’s match comes because St Mirren are managerless following Stephen Robinson’s move to Aberdeen. Youth team coach Craig McLeish will take the Buddies in an interim capacity against Rangers.

“It creates a little bit of an unknown,” admitted Butland. “They've changed the way that they've played a little bit over the last month or so, even before his departure. They haven't played since, but there's been a few changes.

“But what you can expect is a St Mirren that have a physical demand to play against and we've got to be at it. We've got to be ready for it. With the manager obviously now being gone, it'll be interesting to see what they do. But we'll be prepared for it either way.”