Rangers: Chris Sutton blasts back at Kris Boyd over Connor Goldson as Sky Sports debate gets heated
Chris Sutton leapt to the defence of Connor Goldson after Kris Boyd tore into the defender and claimed he’s not someone who can step up to the pressures of playing for Rangers.
Ahead of Rangers’ Scottish Premiership clash against St Mirren in Paisley on Sunday, Boyd raged at his former club for not having enough British players who live and breathe Rangers.
He then took aim at the British players the Gers do have with centre-back Goldson mentioned.
Speaking on Sky Sports Football on Sunday (8 October, 11:05am), Boyd said: “If you look at any successful Rangers or Celtic team, they have a core of Scottish or British players. Rangers don’t have that.
“They don’t have people who live and breathe Rangers Football Club, who understand it and the pressures that come with it.
“I’m thinking of Barry Ferguson, Steven Davis, Kenny Miller, David Weir. They lead by example. Rangers players? James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Ben Davies disappear.”
Sutton then butted in to say: “That’s harsh on Goldson. He’s been a good servant for Rangers.”
Boyd replied: “Good servant? He’s won two trophies.”
After trying to talk over the top of each other, Sutton said: “In my opinion, that’s harsh on Connor Goldson.”
Who’s right?
Goldson has had his bad moments at Ibrox but overall, the ex-Brighton defender has been a shining star of the last half a decade.
Since joining the Light Blues from Brighton in 2018, Goldson has played 275 times in all competitions for the club, scored 23 goals and won the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup.
He’s been a mainstay of the defence under numerous managers and he’s been fancied by all of them.
Goldson’s been solid more often than not and has scored some big goals, as well as being a key player in stopping 10 in a row and the run to the Europa League final in 2021/22.
Is Boyd’s criticism harsh? Yes and no.
He’s not in the same league as a Ferguson or a Weir, that’s simple.
However, this Rangers side is different to the one pre-2012 because so much has happened and there’s been so much change, plus Celtic are by far on top except for that one 2020/21 season.
Goldson is as good as it’s been since 2012 but that does count for something.
In other Rangers news, Michael Beale wants this job in England after he was axed by the Gers.