'Silly' for Rangers to lose heart now - Butland

Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland says it would be "silly to lose heart now" in the Scottish Premiership title race.

The 31-year-old and his captain James Tavernier are two of the four nominees for PFA Scotland player of the year.

Both featured as Rangers beat St Mirren 2-1 on Sunday before league leaders Celtic defeated Dundee by the same scoreline to remain three points ahead.

There are four rounds of fixtures left and Rangers and Celtic will meet in the Scottish Cup final on 25 May.

"Full tilt, we’ve come a long way," said Butland, who has already helped Rangers win the League Cup this season.

"We've put ourselves in a position to achieve some great things, but that is all we've done. We all know what it's going to take and what we have to do to get over the line and get what we need.

"It'd be silly to lose heart now from where we've come from, the gap that we closed. There's certainly plenty of belief in the squad that we can do it."

Butland says he faces "tough competition" for the player of the year prize and Tavernier described his being recognised with a nomination as "a great feeling".

The 32-year-old right-back, who this season became British football's highest- scoring defender, has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia this summer.

"It's definitely not the first time that there's been speculation that Saudi Arabia's been brought up," he said.

"I'm contracted to Rangers for another two seasons after this and I'm fully focused on what I have to do this season and then concentrate on what's to come next season.

"The gaffer's come out and said that I'm a big part of his plans. It's obviously nice when you know you'll be part of the plan."