AND THEY CALL IT PUPPY GLOVE

Butland: I'm just a novice when up against likes of Greegs and Goram

- DAVID MCCARTHY

JACK BUTLAND produced a Prague performance Allan McGregor would have been proud of.

But while the praise doesn't get much higher than that, the man who took over from a club legend reckons he has a long way to go before laying claim to the kind of legacy McGregor left behind.

Tonight, though, facing a Sparta Prague side he defied in a goalless draw in the Czech capital a fortnight ago, Butland can reinforce the belief that while former boss Michael Beale's summer transfer dealings left a lot to be desired, he got it spot on luring the ex-England keeper to Ibrox.

And if Butland can help Philippe Clement's side to backto-back Europa League wins at home against Sparta and Aris Limassol, he'll have more continental nights to look forward to after Christmas.

The 30-year-old said: "It's a huge one in terms of the group.

"Our first European home match under this manager, so it's going to be a good night.

"It comes at an important time for us, a crucial part of the group, and can set us in good stead for the last two games and hopefully qualify.

"I don't think there's anyone we come up against that we're afraid to play, at home especially.

"I'm sure the atmosphere is going to be incredible, we're all looking forward to that.

"We're excited for the chance to play these guys again.