Michael Beale has his perfect Rangers centre-back pairing as unbeaten record helps Ibrox problems
After a difficult start to the campaign for Rangers and Michael Beale, it feels as though in the last week, the Ibrox boss has started to solve a few of his problems on the pitch.
Two wins and two clean sheets over both Real Betis and St Johnstone have seen talks of a potential sacking die down in Glasgow and there has been one key factor that has remained consistent in both those performances after the September international break.
Ben Davies has returned to the Light Blues starting line-up paired in the heart of defence alongside Connor Goldson in a change that has ensured that Beale’s side have a solid base from which to build their attacking football.
During games where the two defenders have started alongside one another for Rangers, they have never lost a single game, remaining unbeaten together since Davies made the switch to the blue side of Glasgow from Liverpool in 2022 [The Fourth Official, 23 September].
There had been suggestions that the 28-year-old was set to depart Ibrox this summer with Championship side Stoke City interested in securing his services on loan, but a deadline day deal broke down as the Potters were only keen to pay 40 per cent of his wages [Heart and Hand Podcast, 1 September].
In games in which Souttar has started alongside Goldson instead, the Gers have already lost three twice in the Scottish Premiership this season, in games where the entirety of Beale’s side struggled against both St Johnstone on the opening day and Celtic.
It feels as though the Rangers boss doesn’t even have a decision to make when he picks his side for Sunday’s (24 September) clash with Motherwell, as his defensive pair must be David and Goldson with Souttar remaining on the bench, at least until there is another dip in form.
With the Europa League season up and running, Beale will need to call on the Scottish defender in the coming weeks in some way, shape or form to ensure that his team don’t become fatigued, especially considering just how long Davies was out for with injury.
Starting XIs do not win teams titles. It is all about having strength in depth, especially if you want to fight for trophies on all fronts and that means Souttar’s form when he returns to action for Beale’s side will be just as important as Davies’ and Goldson’s now.
This summer aimed to give the Light Blues strength in depth and while most of that focus was in the attacking third, they may well have discovered their best defensive pair as well.
In other Rangers news, Barry Ferguson believes that the Gers have finally found their missing spark in the win over Betis