'It's certainly closer!' - Jack Butland hoping for England recall amid goalkeeper injury crisis as Euro 2024 looms

Butland, who last played for The Three Lions in 2018 before being dropped by manager Gareth Southgate, is eyeing a return to the national team ahead of Euro 2024. Earlier this month, Southgate admitted that he is facing a crisis in the goalkeeping position as Newcastle's Nick Pope is out with an injury while Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale and Crystal Palace's Sam Johnstone have not received enough game time this season. Only England's first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has regularly played for his club, Everton, and is available for selection.

Speaking to the BBC, the 30-year-old custodian said, "People have been selected for England from Scotland before. It's not out of the question but it's also not a given either. It's certainly closer now than it has been for the last three, four, maybe five years. It's as good as I've played in that period of time.

"I've been to major tournaments. I would love to go to another one. I still believe I can offer a lot. That comes with doing my job here, that puts me in the conversation. If that gets me in, great. If it doesn't, then we just carry on."

The former Leeds United and Manchester United goalkeeper left Crystal Palace to join Rangers ahead of the 2023/24 season. In the ongoing campaign, he appeared in 42 matches across all competitions where he has managed to keep 22 clean sheets for the Scottish Premiership leaders. After consistently performing in Scotland the goalkeeper will now hope to return to the national team ahead of their upcoming friendly matches against Brazil and Belgium next month.

Butland will be next seen in action for The Light Blues on Wednesday as they take on Kilmarnock in a league clash. It remains to be seen if Southgate takes notice.