Rangers dealt injury blow as ‘Colossus’ Connor Goldson limps off v Liverpool
Connor Goldson was enjoying a superb performance for Rangers against Liverpool, but the 29-year-old suffered an injury late into the first half.
Rangers enjoyed a spectacular first half against Liverpool on Wednesday night, with Scott Arfield handing the hosts the lead early on.
A poor moment of defending from James Tavernier allowed the Reds back level, but overall the defensive display from Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side was superb.
Much of that credit goes to Goldson, who kept Darwin Nunez quiet throughout. Sadly though, he was forced off the pitch after suffering an injury in the 45th minute.
Leon King came on to replace him, but The Athletic journalist Jordan Campbell sees it as a “huge blow” for Rangers.
Campbell posted to his Twitter: “Huge blow for Rangers as Goldson limps off. He had been a colossus so far against Nunez.
“The applause as he goes off very telling. Can’t remember him being injured in his four years here.
“Leon King comes on to partner Ben Davies.”
A huge miss
Goldson’s experience and physicality were vital to Rangers, and he provided a superb foundation for the rest of the team to build on.
Both he and Davies were keeping Liverpool quiet in the first half, and Van Bronckhorst would’ve been gutted to have to make a change at the back.
King is a very talented defender and one of the most promising young players at Ibrox, but it’s a lot to ask for him to step into a very tense game and keep out one of Europe’s deadliest strike forces.
On top of that, King and Davies now represent Rangers’ only two fit centre-backs. With hardly any depth to work with, Van Bronckhorst will have his fingers crossed that Goldson’s injury is only minor.
Otherwise, in what is a packed October schedule, the Dutch manager could find himself plugging holes at the back.
In other Rangers news, the club have confirmed Barry Scott’s resignation from the board.