“Firstly, I think Jack Buckland is a top goalkeeper. Second, I have a very, very good relationship with Jack.

“I’ve known Jack for a long time. He was a young child who came through Birmingham when I went down to play for Birmingham in the Premier League.

“Thirdly, I have to know that Jack does it and I also have to be aware of it. Because I take care of him.”

Ferguson felt “I just had to make a decision”, but Butland was sagging one of six changes from the side to a fifth defeat in a row in the history of the club.

“It was a difficult decision when I spoke to him,” he said. “I could see that it hurt. They go with decisions.

“It’s not one that I decided on Saturday evening or Sunday. I thought long and exactly about it.

“When I spoke to him, it was a hard conversation of 10 to 15 minutes. But listen to Jack still has a big role here.”

The Rangers, who take second place and possibly need a victory to delay City Celtic’s title party, travel against Aberdeen on Sunday before the second leg next Thursday.

The 29-year-old Kelly could be asked to continue the goal after rejecting a few other good stops on the late spot kick over the crossely when Rangers held a game in which Robin-Propter was sent from the center after only 13 minutes.

“In terms of Liam, I thought he had done well tonight,” added Ferguson.