“Terrible”: McManus is baffled by the Rangers star’s performance this season following a multi-million dollar claim.

Jack Butland has nowhere to hide after committing a costly error in the Rangers goal in the 2-1 defeat against Motherwell at Ibrox on Saturday.

Luke Armstrong tapped the ball into an empty net after Butland failed to collect a routine shot hit straight at him as Rangers suffered their first defeat under Barry Ferguson on 1 March.

The goalkeeper quickly became the subject of severe criticism as the Light Blues suffered their third consecutive defeat at home in all competitions, with Kenny Macintyre destroying him live on BBC Radio Scotland.

Macintyre instantly hit out at the Englishman for his mistake, which he described as “horrendous”.

Tam McManus baffled by Butland

While a lot has happened since the game on Saturday, Butland continues to be the topic of discussion among fans and pundits, with Tam McManus putting the goalkeeper’s performances this season under the microscope.

McManus could not believe the manner in which the 31-year-old conceded the first goal against Motherwell and admitted that he has been “terrible” all season.

The pundit is particularly surprised and baffled by his performances because Rangers were valuing him at around £10-20million not so long ago.

I don’t know what has happened to Jack Butland this season”, McManus said on PLZ Soccer’s The Football Show (3 March).

“I’d say a season, 18 months ago, they were talking about £10, £15, £20million for him.

“He’s been terrible this season as well, and a real basic error gives Motherwell the lead.”

Butland saved by Rangers takeover

Butland has perhaps not received as much criticism as he should have, especially because a lot of fans have given up on the season, with Ferguson tasked with seeing the campaign through for the time being.

Moreover, much of the focus at Ibrox is on the proposed takeover of the 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers.

Sky Sports broke the news on Monday (3 March) afternoon that an agreement has been reached for the deal to go ahead.

Although a due diligence on the deal and the paperwork are pending, all parties involved are confident of getting it across the line in time for next season.

The impact of the news has been such that attention has been quickly diverted from the defeat against Motherwell at the weekend and Butland’s role in it.