Jack Butland makes alarming Rangers comment next manager won't want to hear

Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland has issued a stark warning that their season could be in jeopardy if they don't start winning matches soon. The Ibrox shot-stopper has also urged the club's management to swiftly appoint a new manager after Kevin Muscat withdrew himself from contention. Despite their struggles, Rangers are yet to secure a home league victory this season following Saturday's 2-2 draw with Dundee United.

Currently sitting sixth in the Scottish Premiership table, they trail leaders Hearts by 13 points and sit eight points behind Old Firm rivals Celtic. Butland, who has been the standout performer for Rangers this term, concedes that the entire campaign is at risk of slipping away. Having already suffered two defeats in their opening Europa League fixtures, with an away match against Brann Bergen looming on Thursday night, the situation is looking increasingly dire.

When questioned about whether the season could start to unravel due to poor form and ongoing uncertainty over who will succeed former boss Russell Martin, Butland responded: "Of course it can.

"We're better off not beating around the bush. We know what we want to achieve and what this club expects, but the reality is we haven't shown that.

"As tough as it sounds and as hard as it is for me to say, is the reality. We don't want the season to drift away, but we have to be realistic about where we find ourselves right now.

"Thinking about where we can get to and what's achievable is irrelevant. We need to start changing what we're doing, taking on the lessons and getting better. It's as simple as that.

"We have to start putting in performances that the fans can align with, recognise as a Rangers team and can get behind and believe in. Too often we haven't been and that's just a fact. So we need to get to that."

Rangers youth coach Steven Smith stepped into temporary charge against Dundee United at the weekend but it remains uncertain whether he'll continue in the dugout for their midweek trip to Norway.

Butland admits the uncertainty has created challenges for the squad. He said: "It's difficult. Some of us have experienced it before and some haven't.

"The truth is, it's never easy to deal with that situation. It's not an excuse. Steve and Gilly [Brian Gilmour] put in a lot of effort in the two days we had as a full squad.

"They made it as clear and as simple as possible for the lads - without changing too much and giving everyone confusion they didn't need - to step over the line and put in a performance on Saturday.

"But hopefully it's sorted soon. If it's not, then we've got to stick together and put in a performance on Thursday night. Whatever happens, we have to start showing more of what the fans expect."