Ibrox View: 98 passes, 92% accuracy – Outstanding Gers ace hits top form v Ross County
Rangers moved 13 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a 4-0 win over Ross County at Global Energy Stadium on Sunday.
Goals from Kemar Roofe, James Tavernier and Jermain Defoe, in addition to an own goal, sealed the win and extended the Gers’ winning run in the league to eight matches.
However, it was centre-back Connor Goldson that caught the eye after a couple of difficult showings for the 27-year-old.
On Sunday, Goldson was back to his best with the ball at his feet and completed a monumental 98 passes, at a 92% accuracy rate (via WhoScored). Only Steven Davis completed more passes than the former Brighton and Hove Albion defender and he played a crucial role in ball progression throughout.
It was Goldson whose threaded ball found Tavernier for the Gers third goal, just a further example of his ability to start attacks from deep. Against Falkirk, his long-ball found Defoe in the box for a smart finish and it is clear that Steven Gerrard values this aspect of his game.
He has also secure defensively on Sunday, winning three aerial duels, completing one tackle and making two clearances (via WhoScored). Now, Ross County is hardly the toughest test, but he did everything he needed to.
Following the game against Standard Liege in the Europa League in midweek, it looked as though Goldson needed a rest. He was beaten for pace on a couple of occasions and given the strength of this Ross County team, it would have been no surprise to see him left out.
However, it is a testament to how much Gerrard values the defender that he was in the team and he repaid his managers’ faith. With seven matches before the end of the month, he will need a rest at some point, but this was the perfect recovery from the 27-year-old.
In other Rangers news, three things we learned from Rangers 3-2 win V Standard Liege