As England prepare to take on Italy tonight in the Euro 2020 final, will the scenes from Wembley have a bearing on Connor Goldson’s future at Rangers?
With Goldson now into the last 12 months of his current Ibrox contract, player power comes to the fore.
Everyone involved at Rangers knows the importance that he commands and more importantly, has displayed, as a primary component of Steven Gerrard’s Premiership triumph and the chase for 55.
That is abundantly clear.
Now, he is set to go into a defence of that Scottish title as well as the exciting prospect of going up against Europe’s best in the Champions League – all of which is great except as it stands, Rangers will lose the player and his value for nothing if he is allowed to run down his contract over the coming months.
Connor Goldson is more than capable of holding his own in the Premier League.
He is as good as, if not more talented, than the likes of Tyrone Mings and Connor Coady – both currently enjoying the time of their footballing lives as part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad, on the edge of glory.
Will Goldson be watching Wembley tonight, thinking ‘I want some of that’.
Dilemma
If he was to make a move south, now entering his prime at the age of 28, he would surely be in the England reckoning by continuing his form on the greater, yet parochial stage, that is the English Premier League within a matter of months.
In order to wear the Three Lions, that is the requisite.
Even English players abroad in other ‘Top Five’ leagues are not considered fully worthy of a call-up in some quarters, including the inner circle, until they have graced and thrived in England’s top-flight.
Knowing that and taking in the national joy of this Euros that is encapsulating the green and pleasant land, who could blame the Wolverhampton-born player for chasing the dream.
That then leaves the enduring decision for Gerrard, Wilson and co, at Ibrox.
Do they cash in on a major asset – with a reduced value given his contract situation – or is his worth in the here and now, at a pivotal time for the club with Champions League riches in tangible reach, worth more in the bigger picture?
This is a major talking point this summer for the Scottish champions with an intrguing conclusion ahead.