Jack Butland insists he only ever wanted to be at Rangers for the 2025/26 season.
Rumours about his future at Ibrox circulated towards the end of last season when the 32-year-old lost his place in the starting XI to back-up goalkeeper Liam Kelly.
Butland was dropped by Barry Ferguson after making a string of high-profile errors in matches, both domestically and in Europe.
This led to doubts over whether new head coach Russell Martin fancied him as his No.1 moving forward.
🏃♂️ Putting things right over the summer ❌ Dismissing Rangers exit speculation 🧤 Big moments versus Panathinaikos 📋 Russell Martin's tactics and style 👀 Similarities to Erik ten Hag demands An 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 interview with Rangers' Jack Butland on the past and future ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/ZY34ahcpHp
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) July 29, 2025
However, he started the first leg Champions League qualifier win over Panathinaikos, and will almost certainly be between the sticks again for the return leg in Athens tomorrow night.
"Some of the difficulties last year, there were moments when you couldn't believe your luck," he told Sky Sports.
"Did I try too hard to rectify things and that compounded it? Yeah, possibly.
"I actually felt really good towards the end of last season. I didn't play obviously, and got a few in the end. I finished in a good place mentally and was optimistic about the future.
"I knew I needed to spend the summer putting it behind me and looking forward.
"I put time and effort into making sure I had a good off-season because I knew I wanted to come back at my best. I feel I've managed to do that.
"It's never easy as a goalkeeper. Mistakes are part of it. They sometimes come when you least expect them, and sometimes they follow one another.
"I never once waivered from my belief and what I want to do here.
"Sometimes things are taken out of your hands, but for me, just getting back to basics and reminding myself that I'm a top goalkeeper."
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On the speculation surrounding his future, Butland was keen to shut down those suggestions.
He added: "It's not been quite as successful as we'd have liked it to be.
"Although some people like to try to make those stories up, I was determined that I will determine how my career goes here.
"I was adamant in the summer that regardless of what managerial and ownership changes happen, I was going to come in and be the best version of myself and at least give myself the opportunity to be in control of what happens next.
"I'm looking forward to the season ahead at a club where I want to be. Never once did I think I wanted a change or did I want out."
