Connor Goldson in Old Firm injury boost after Rangers announcement

With Borna Barisic, Ben Davies, and the vice captain all trying to be fit for the Old Firm derby, Gers manager Philippe Clement’s team is now hanging by a thread. But, with one fewer game to go, all of the attention can be directed toward preparation rather than recuperation.

Rangers need Connor Goldson fit for the derby and the pressure of not being 100% for Ross County’s visit to Ibrox may well be a blessing in disguise.

We have witnessed both last season and, on rare occasions this season, that the 31-year-old center-half is still an essential member of our defense.

Ben Davies, John Souttar, and Leon Balogun are all talented players, but none of them compare to the £3.5 million Brighton acquisition in terms of leadership or organizational abilities.

Speaking following the Rangers’ victory over Motherwell on Christmas Eve, Clement expressed skepticism on Connor Goldson’s likelihood of playing for the team again against Ross County:

“I hope everything works out.

At the end of the game, he experienced some minor pain in his groin.

“But we will see, we will make an assessment tomorrow.”

Hopefully, it was more of a preemptive measure.

If he missed the derby as well, Souttar and Balogun would be our only options.

The recent injury jinx that has seen Leon King and Dujon Sterling both drafted into midfield has not hurt the defense too much, but it is now beginning to show signs of weakness.

As fans, we would all have wanted to close the gap at the top of the table back down to two points and the defenders we have available should have been good enough, the bigger picture though is the Old Firm derby.

What was an advantage for Celtic playing a day early is now one for Rangers with Connor Goldson and a few of his teammates, who might have been carrying the odd ache and strain, getting the chance to fully recover.

There have been a few big derbies in recent seasons but this one genuinely feels like it could be pivotal in deciding who becomes champions.

We need as many of our best players available for selection and Goldson is clearly one of those, getting him as close to 100% as possible could be the difference – those odds have just significantly improved.

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