Three days following the Scottish Cup win at Ibrox which was missed by Connor Goldson, it will be interesting to assess the situation around the pivotal figure in Michael Beale’s team.
The central defender was absent from the dramatic contest against Partick Thistle, with the manager revealing that a calf complaint was the reason for his omission.
Looking ahead to two crucial fixtures against Livingston and Celtic, there is no doubt that Rangers will be a much stronger proposition for the inclusion of the Wolverhampton-born player. An update is expected over the next couple of days prior to the trip to West Lothian on Premiership duty though it is not thought to be a serious concern.
Beale stated post-match on Sunday:
“Connor Goldson had a bit of an issue with a calf problem and has missed a little bit of training so it was the right decision to make overall.”
The manager also revealed that Alex Lowry was set to play only for a training setback to scupper that plan.
After questioning his decision to make wholesale changes against Partick, it will almost certainly be a more ‘settled’ Rangers team that takes to the pitch on Saturday afternoon, especially with the huge League Cup Final on the horizon. That encounter is one that Beale will be judged on, roundly, as he will be well aware so it is so important that the preparation effectively gets underway.
An effective overall performance was again, elusive, last time out but that must change. Whilst there will be an expectation that Rangers will rise to the occasion at Hampden next weekend, there is also a need to respond immediately, against a Livingston side who have their own amends to make after the disappointment of Scottish Cup elimination at the hands of Inverness Caley Thistle.