Connor Goldson ‘major injury doubt’ for Rangers vs Celtic Old Firm Derby clash, won’t play v Ross County
Rangers are “almost certain” to be without Connor Goldson for the clash with Ross County in midweek, with the defender a “major doubt” to play Celtic.
The defender was forced off in the closing minutes of the win over Motherwell on Christmas Eve and Philippe Clement has admitted there are concerns about his fitness ahead of two games this week.
And according to Football Scotland (26 December) he is now unlikely to be risked against Ross County on Wednesday night ahead of the big Old Firm clash on Saturday afternoon.
“Philippe Clement fears Connor Goldson could be a major injury doubt for Saturday’s Old Firm showdown at Parkhead,” they wrote.
“The Rangers defender limped off towards the end of the 2-0 Christmas Eve win at Motherwell with what appeared to be a groin strain.
Clement is already without nine first-team players and will now have his fingers crossed that Goldson doesn’t become the tenth casualty. It’s almost certain that the 31-year-old won’t be risked during tomorrow night’s clash with Ross County as Clement sweats over his star defender’s fitness.”
Needed
Defensively the team has been really strong this season, with seven clean sheets from ten league games under Clement and just eight goals conceded in the league all season.
But there is absolutely no doubt that Goldson is the club’s best central defender and losing him for what could turn into a title decider against Celtic could be catastrophic.
Leon Balogun has been excellent alongside him recently while Ben Davies and John Souttar have had their own good spells of form, but they’ve all come alongside the vice-captain.
Without him in the team Rangers always seem a little bit more shaky than usual and a team like Celtic will no doubt be capable of punishing any errors.
Clement must do everything to wrap him in cotton wool to ensure he is fit for the game, as it could be the difference between winning and losing at Parkhead and going top of the table.
In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist drops January transfer verdict for Ibrox board after what Clement did.