Connor Goldson singled out as true Rangers leader over James Tavernier
Connor Goldson is the true leader at Rangers even if James Tavernier wears the captain’s armband, according to Kirk Broadfoot.
The 30-year-old has returned for the past two victories from the injury he suffered against Liverpool on 12 October which preceded the record-breaking collapse on the night.
And former Gers defender Broadfoot is not surprised that Michael Beale’s side recorded a much-needed clean sheet at Ross County with Goldson back in the line up.
He told the Scottish Sun (26 December): “Connor is massive for Rangers, he’s the natural leader of that team.
“When I was at Kilmarnock and we played them in lockdown, he was THE voice.
“James Tavernier is captain and leads by example, but Goldson was the organiser.
“You could see it was him getting them going and he has been a huge miss in recent months, for his organisation as well as being such a terrific defender.
“But they’ve also missed his passing ability — his range for a defender is superb.
“He’s the main man, it’s just about who plays beside him.”
Vital
The defence has been a revolving door of characters this season thanks to injuries to Goldson, plus summer signings John Souttar and Ben Davies.
Leon King’s emergence may prove to be a boost in the long-term but the teenager being thrown into the deep end as the Giovanni van Bronckhorst era was crashing down around him was a pretty big ask for him to stabilise things.
Leon Balogun and Calvin Bassey are both long gone, and Filip Helander’s ongoing absence makes him feel about as far away from the club as those two, so having Goldson in the team can’t be underestimated.
While Tavernier’s output has slipped from the heights he is used to, amid suggestions that he has been run into the ground while carrying injuries, his ever-presence has probably kept things from being worse this campaign than they already were.
Stability at the back is vital for Beale to build Rangers back through a revival, and while he could do with a settled partner for Goldson in the middle it has become clear how much the side misses the former Brighton man when he’s gone.
The Gers only kept one clean sheet in nine SPFL and Champions League games during his injury absence, and if Tavenier is more of a leader by example, his role will also be boosted with a formidable voice in the back line with him.
In other Rangers news, the club’s official partner claims the manager will be sacked if he sticks with members of the current squad.