'I can't believe that...' – BBC pundits react to 'Astonishing' Rangers incident at HT v FCSB

Neil McCann and Steven Thompson slammed Jack Butland after he was “embarrassed” in the early stages of Rangers against FCSB on Thursday (24 October).

Speaking on BBC Sportsound commentary (24 October, 8:04pm), the two pundits were initially in disbelief as the goalkeeper got away with an error which led to a disallowed FCSB goal in the Europa League tie.

Barely two minutes into the match, Butland’s heavy touch in his box allowed David Miculescu to tackle him and score, but the referee instead gave a free-kick Rangers’ way to spare Butland’s blushes.

FCSB’s goal was therefore ruled out and play continued, only for Tom Lawrence and Vaclav Cerny to send their side into the break 2-0 to the good.

Thompson said: “That’s astonishing. I cannot believe what I’m seeing.”

“He’s embarrassed”, said McCann; “I can’t believe that.”

McCann changed his mind after seeing a replay minutes later though, saying: “In slow motion, it actually is a foul – it’s an unbelievably good decision.”

Jack Butland bailed out after ‘Astonishing’ Rangers v FCSB moment

Other than possibly Lawrence himself, no one inside Ibrox would have been happier to see the Welshman’s goal find the bottom corner than Butland after what he’d done.

Philippe Clement was already coming under increasing pressure before the match, so the last thing he needed was for his goalkeeper to gift the opposition a goal inside the opening seconds.

The softest of touches from Miculescu to dispossess the 31-year-old left an empty net for the forward to tap into, and despite the goal being disallowed, it’s a passage of play Butland won’t want to see again.

Butland did restore some confidence – and certainly needed to – with a good save from Luis Phelipe after an FCSB corner, but it remains to be seen how the visitors will target him in the second half.

Lawrence and Cerny’s goals giving the Bears a two-goal lead will have helped many fans to forget about Butland’s error, but FCSB manager Ilias Charalampous will still be keen to exploit the Rangers rearguard.

In other Rangers news, a Light Blues legend has given his verdict on Philippe Clement’s long-term future in the dugout at Ibrox.

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The post 'I can't believe that...' – BBC pundits react to 'Astonishing' Rangers incident at HT v FCSB appeared first on Ibrox News.