But, but, Butland was a cert for England as Dublin beckoned

But, but Butland was a cert for an England call up, and Dublin beckoned. A rollercoaster of 24 hours in the deluded life of theRangers support…

We’ve not had too much to smile about lately, but last night we had a few wee chuckles at the expense of our Glasgow rivals theRangers as they crashed out of the Europa League after they conceded a truly bizarre goal, talk about shooting yourselves in the foot.

After a blistering counter and lengthy VAR review, Rafa Silva puts Benfica ahead at Ibrox ⚡️#UEL

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/GdP9zp7294

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 14, 2024

They were never going to win the tournament, and it would have benefited us if they had a more congested fixture list, but it was good to see the smiles wiped off their smug faces all the same. Their European exit means that next season’s Scottish Premiership Champions are now more than likely going to have to face a qualifying round to reach the Champions League.

It all hinges on a Conference League tie in the quarter finals involving a little team from Czechia, who just need to avoid defeat in one of the two legs to scupper the guaranteed Scottish place at the top table. Celtic can have no complaints given our own dismal showings on the European stage in recent times.

It’s been a rollercoaster of a 24 hours for the deluded Ibrox hoards. For a few weeks now they have been shouting from the rooftops about descending on Dublin come the Europa league final in May.

And just the other day they were celebrating Jack Butland earning an England call up. For some reason they thought it was a cert that super Jack would be the first ever player from theRangers player called up for international duty with the three lions.

Unfortunately for poor Jack and the deluded Ibrox supporters he was ‘snubbed’ by Gareth Southgate, although Jack like the rest of us most likely knew it was all wishful thinking. As good a keeper as he is, he’s not good enough for the English national side, in the eyes of the guy that counts, the chap picking the squad.  He’s playing up here for a reason after all.

But theRangers supporters didn’t see it that way and were all frothing at the mouth as one of their own was denied the chance of being selected for their beloved Three Lions, their masters in their Union of unequals.

Make no mistake, like talk of a Butland England call up, they believed a trip to Dublin was a reality. The hideous Tifo unveiled before the game told you just that. But they were brought crashing back to earth after seeing their side deservedly beaten by an average, out of form Benfica side.

Here’s Kris Boyd’s assessment of Benfica’s worthy won at Ibrox last night…

Rangers are OUT of the Europa League after a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Benfica. pic.twitter.com/Llhp3WNUuS

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 14, 2024

We wish Benfica well for the quarter-finals.