Jack Butland and Joe Hart go under the Rangers Celtic microscope as former mentor has his say

He might be the only viewer who tunes in to the Old Firm this weekend hoping for a goalless draw and both keepers to be grabbing a share of the limelight.

But Eric Steele has good reason to want Jack Butland and Joe Hart to be the stars of the show at Ibrox - as the former Manchester United and Manchester City goalkeeping coach rates the duo as two of his best ever students. And when you consider he’s worked directly with the likes of Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van de Sar and David de Gea down the years then that’s a pretty high bar by anyone’s standards.

Steele was Hart’s mentor when the Celtic keeper grabbed his big chance with City at the age of 20 with both hands. On his old protege’s decision to call it a day at the end of this season, Steele can only shake his head and say “What a waste of a fantastic goalkeeper”.

On the flip side, as Hart prepares to bow out, Steele reckons the summer could yet still see the regrowth of Butland as an England goalkeeper at the Euros. He insists the Rangers number one - whom he coached at Derby County - will most definitely be in the thoughts of Gareth Southgate and Three Lions goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson.

Before any of that comes a blockbuster Old Firm that could prove decisive in the Premiership title race. And Steele can’t wait to watch two giants of English goalkeeping strut their stuff in the biggest Scottish top flight game for a generation.

He said: “What an occasion and, believe me, both these guys are absolutely built for it. I will be delighted with a 0-0, a clean sheet for Joe and Jack and then let the battle commence after that to win the title!

“Scottish football has been brilliant for Joe and Jack. Their moves came at a time where they were needing to get back to