Here's every word Jack Butland had to say ahead of Rangers' Europa League meeting with Lyon.

  • The goalkeeper is excited at Ianis Hagi's return to the first-team squad 
  • He adds that John Souttar is maturing into an excellent defender alongside Robin Propper
  • Butland also previews a huge night at Ibrox against Lyon in the Europa League

Jack what’s the overriding feeling going into this match?

Yeah really good. Coming off a good few weeks, a good few results so there’s good confidence in the camp. A great result away from home last week and followed it up with a win at the weekend so confidence is high.

What does that result in particular last week against Malmo do for the feel-good factor and belief in the squad?

Not just because of that [result] but also because of the new format, we obviously have great confidence in ourselves in what we can do at home and what we’ve done in the past at home but we’ve had some great results in the past way from home as well and that certainly helps. I think that’s going to help us hugely in this format so getting off to a good start puts us in a good position in this league format and hopefully we can follow that up tomorrow so the belief is definitely there.

Even though it’s a new group of players and you got a taste of this last season, it feels like something about this competition brings out the best in Rangers, do you feel that being involved?

Yeah there’s huge games, it’s a huge club and to be involved in high-profile games, good games against European competition, there’s not many players that are going to turn that down and not want to be a part of that. Whether it’s as an individual or as a collective these are huge games for yourself as a player and for us as a club we’ve done well in this competition in recent years and we’re looking forward to hopefully following that up.

How do you feel about Ianis Hagi returning to training?

Good, he’s a great kid. He’s someone that I’ve not seen a lot of from a playing perspective from my time here but clearly there’s a fantastic player in there. Obviously he’s represented his country at international level as well, he’s a great player and a great kid. He’s been integrated back in, that’s for the manager to answer but he’s a great lad around the place and we’re glad to have him.

Did you and or any of the other players try and get involved to get Ianis back in or was that solely left between him and the club?

Between him and the club. I think as players you support your teammates as much as you can and we’ve all been in or witnessed similar scenarios and it can be a difficult place sometimes as a player when there’s things going on between the player and the club. That appears to have all been resolved but that’s all down to the manager and the club but as players we always support each other and make sure they’ve got someone to talk to and confide in. He’s done that and seems like he’s in a great place and what will be will be.

In terms of building momentum again after a disappointing result at the start of last month and finding that confidence again, in terms of clean sheets just how important have they been to build a foundation again to get things moving?

Huge, I think it’s six in the last seven? Hopefully we’re going to keep that going, it gives us a real platform to play. If you start conceding goals and it becomes a habit then winning games, especially the game at the weekend against Hibs if that becomes a game where you then start to concede after little recovery time after not being at your best, if you lose that defensive stability that we’ve got then those games become really difficult. It’s something that we’ve prided ourselves on and something we need to continue and certainly that starts again tomorrow.

When you lose a figure like Connor Goldson, who’s been ever-present in his time here then I suppose that always does take time to adjust. For your own sake as a goalkeeper having John Souttar and Robin Propper in front of you can you tell us a bit about how your relationship has developed with them? Especially John who seems like in recent weeks is back to his best form?

John and Robin have both been brilliant, for someone like Robin to come in he’s an experienced defender, he’s played at some big clubs at great levels so he’s stepped in and I think we’ve seen the best of him and I think there’s even more to come. Connor moving on has allowed John to play on his favoured side but I think he did fantastic for us on the left last year. He’s someone that gives everything for the club, he’s grown incredibly as a defender and I think he’s matured into a really top, top centre half. It’s great, I love having him in front of me and I think as a partnership they’re growing and I think it shows that if that partnership is not quite right then clean sheets are hard to come by.

With Connor leaving who was such a big voice in that back four, is John filling that role as well and becoming that sort of leader?

He is. Not many people can be as loud as Connor, but that was a huge strength of his and something that we really valued but John is a voice as well. We have a leadership group and he’s a big part of that, not just for on the pitch stuff but off it too. He’s certainly leading with his performances at the minute and he’s becoming a fantastic defender and we’re lucky to have him.

With all of his time off the park with injuries it takes a lot to come back and get himself fit and to the level he’s at now?

He’s extremely professional, he loves the club, he loves what he does and he’s been through some difficult times. For anyone to come back from that it takes a lot of doing, he’s put a lot of effort into maintaining that level of fitness and his levels and that’s a testament to him. He’s been a huge part of the season so far and I’m sure he’s going to continue to be a huge part of the rest of the campaign.

In the last couple of games there’s been the penalty save against Hibs and some big saves against Dundee United. You must be pleased with how you’re playing?

I feel great. In all the games you play there’s always things you pick out that you could be doing better. I feel really comfortable here, I love the work that I do, I love my job and I love playing for this football club and I think with all of that and a bit of maturity in there as well you learn how to be at your best more often than not. I’m in a great place and for me I just have to try and enjoy it and help the team where I can and be ready when I need to.

How much do you enjoy playing a top side like Lyon in European competition?

It’s huge, I don’t think these European nights are ever something we can shy away from. I didn’t get a chance personally to compete in European football for Manchester United but I think everyone steps up for them – fans and players alike and we’re looking forward to it.

What is it that enables Rangers to step up against big clubs from better leagues?

The challenge. The underdog story from people who don’t think you can that’s always something that keeps this club coming back. If you want to write us off, go for it. We’ll relish the challenge, that’s something we’ve certainly done in European games and need to do for all our competitions. They’re great opportunities for people to showcase what they’re about and show what they can do.

Can you talk us through your own preparation for a big European game like this?

Not a lot of changes. A little bit more focused on some individuals and what to expect from some. On any given night anything can happen so you’re just trying to prepare mentally and physically as best you can. I feel in a great place and in good spirits and just want to do the best I can.

It looks like nine points could be enough to get through the group stages, how massive would that be for Rangers as a club?

It would be huge. From your side you’re sort of speculating what it might be. We started off brilliantly last week but a solid performance and hopefully coming away with something tomorrow night and we’re in a great place.