Whilst still far from excellence, Rangers back line has been noticeably stronger in recent weeks with the continuity of Connor Goldson and Ben Davies paying together.
The ongoing goalkeeping saga continues to be an issue with a counterproductive impact but with the injury crisis now seemingly in the background, there are grounds for optimism and reasons to be cheerful.
Michael Beale’s Rangers are never likely to be a team racking up 1-0 wins on the bounce due to the open expansive style. That said, a resolute back line is a requirement if Rangers are to push on, on both domestic and European fronts. The current manager has benefited from relative stability in selection, which wasn’t possible in the first half of the season for Giovanni van Bronckhorst but now is about looking forward and striving for further gains.
As well as Goldson and Davies, John Souttar, Leon King, James Sands, John Lundstram and one or two others on an emergency in-game basis have all had to fill in at some point this season. With the return of linchpin Goldson, that has allowed him to strike up a partnership with his compatriot for the collective benefit.
He said on the established first-choice pairing:
“It’s good just to get a run together with Ben. We both had injuries at the start of the season and I don’t think helped the team. It was never settled as a back four but we’re building confidence together now. He’s very easy to play with and he’s a good player.”
“I don’t really need to talk to him much on the pitch, which is nice and we’re doing well together. The relationship can only get stronger and that helps other areas of the pitch.”
Three clean-sheets in the last four games is an obvious boost for the team. If the rear guard is dominant and assertive, it provides the base for the attackers to go and get the goals, putting the games to bed. That was exemplified at Tynecastle last week in a very impressive manner whilst in a different type of game, only a momentary lapse and error, prevented a fourth shut out on the bounce, at home to Ross County.
It is of great encouragement that the Goldson-Davies duo has plenty of room for further improvement.