Connor Goldson has been a colossus in defence for Steven Gerrard – his longevity and almost ever-presence has been a constant theme of the evolution of Rangers from challengers to champions.
Having overcome a serious health setback, the Wolverhampton-native answered Gerrard’s call to follow him north to Glasgow and since then, the former-Brighton man hasn’t looked back.
As with many players before him, the realities of Scottish football were underestimated.
Yes, the quality, technique and skill is far below the levels of England’s Premier League but the brawn is cranked up in the SPFL Premiership.
This is something that caught Goldson by surprise, as he told to Jonathan Northcroft at The Times.
“In the Premier League there was more time on the ball, but the intensity of Scotland is a different level.”
“Some games, I call it murderball.”
“When I came up here I thought not ‘I’ll cruise it’ but ‘I’ll look very good here’.”
“Then all of a sudden there’s balls into your channels, balls into your box, corners, throw-ins, and you’re conceding goals unless you’re in the zone.”
“The pressure has helped me improve.”
It is that pressure and the requisite demands that have taken Gerrard’s team three seasons to conquer.
In that time, there has been a gradual increase in quality to enable the title triumph to happen – with hindsight it was never likely in year one but the debacle of 19/20 still rankles, from the new year implosion to Celtic’s league title not being won on the pitch.
However, the pain and ghosts of the recent past at Ibrox have been put to bed by this season’s title victory – what came before doesn’t matter anymore.
Ambition
Gerrard’s Rangers are Champions, pride has been restored at home and abroad – it’s now about finding the next level.
Goldson commented on how his manager has driven the need for high standards and the demands to maintain them:
“You know you’re in the presence of a winner, you know what he expects from you every day.”
“He brings complete clarity and I don’t think I’ve ever come out of a team talk thinking, ‘I’m not sure today’.”
As for ‘tomorrow’, there appears to be an element of unfinished business with Goldson and the Premier League.
Whilst he is happy and settled at Ibrox, there is nothing wrong with top players having ambitions to play at the highest level – especially an Englishman.
If he is to get back to the English top flight, it will mean his high standards have continued and very likely that Rangers will have received a substantial fee for his services.
“My dream was always to play week in, week out in the Premier League”, said Goldson.
“Whether that happens, time will tell but I think for any English player that’s the dream.”
“Playing in Europe against really top teams has made me realise I am good enough to play at that level.”