Jack feels he is right back to his very best

SUMMER RESET HAS GOT KEEPER OVER FORM DIP

- From Fraser Wilson in Athens

JACK BUTLAND knows better than most how lonely a position goalkeeper can be - especially for a toiling one.

The Rangers No.1 felt that last season probably more than he’s ever experienced it ina lengthy career at the top.

High-profile errors against Manchester United, Motherwell, Dundee and Hibs proved costly not only to his club but eventually the 32-year-old too.

With the mistakes mounting and supporters losing faith, interim boss Barry Ferguson took the keeper out the firing line ahead of the Europa League quarterfinal doubleheader with Athletic Bilbao.

Butland admits that stung but was determined to drag himself out of the doldrums and prove the doubters wrong.

He returned to work early in the summer to join Wolves and fellow former England keeper Sam Johnstone at a goalkeeping training camp in Portugal run by England U20s coach Neil Cutler.

‘And when Tuesday’s Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos came around, Butland was back to his best.

Three massive saves before Findlay Curtis broke the deadlock in the 2-0 first leg victory almost single-handedly kept Rangers in the tie.

It meant Butland’s name was again ringing round Ibrox for all the right reasons as punters got back onside.