Steven Gerrard could talk wealthy Al-Ettifaq owners into Connor Goldson Rangers deal
Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard is reportedly hoping to talk the Saudi club’s wealthy owners into making a bid for Rangers defender Connor Goldson, according to the Daily Record.
The report on 24 April details Gerrard’s desire to acquire both Goldson and Gers captain James Tavernier from the club he managed between 2018 and 2021.
Al-Ettifaq appear primed to make an offer for Tavernier, and Gerrard has now turned his attention to convincing the club of central defender Goldson’s qualities.
Connor Goldson is a key player for Rangers – but for how much longer?
Goldson has played a significant part in each of the six seasons – including this one – since he swapped Brighton for Glasgow in 2018.
The 31-year-old has racked up over 300 appearances for Rangers in that time, winning a Scottish Premiership and Scottish FA Cup double in 2020/21 before claiming the Scottish League Cup this season, with the other two domestic trophies still a possibility.
This term, under Philippe Clement, he has played the third-most minutes of any player in the Rangers squad across all competitions – only Jack Butland (4,680) and James Tavernier (4,671) can better the central defender’s total of 4,316 minutes.
That is a significant total in a side competing for what could still end up being three trophies – if they can overcome Celtic in both the league and cup – and demonstrates his importance to the team.
However, Goldson does enter the final two years of his contract this summer and, should the fee be acceptable, moving on from a player who turns 32 later this calendar year may be a necessary step in the squad’s evolution.
In other Rangers news, the club have set out their intentions to make one loan signing permanent this summer.
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