Rangers managed to get the job done against Livington at home to keep their faint hopes of winning the title alive. The Bears were far from convincing, and even though Gerrard’s men kept a clean sheet, Rangers’ correspondent for the Athletic, Jordan Campbell lambasted the performances of Nikola Katic and Connor Goldson.
Jordan Campbell slates Katic and Goldson
In a Q and A session after the game (subscription needed), Campbell wrote, “I think Katic was poor. One of those games where his deficiencies on the ball are highlighted, and he got too tight to Dykes a couple of times too. Goldson the poorest overall he’s been in a while. A ball-playing centre half has to be on the shopping list in the summer.”
Campbell called out both the centre-halves’ inability to build up attacks from the back and suggested that Rangers will need to dive in the transfer market in the summer to bring in a new defender. Katic and Goldson were also behind the disaster against Kilmarnock which saw the Bears concede two late goals.
A simple long ball for the second goal undid the Bears as Brophy slotted the winner in the 88th minute. Both the defenders were at fault there as Katic failed to win the first header and Goldson was too slow to react to the flick on. The former Brighton man’s lack of pace didn’t help him either.
Goldson is quite clearly the first choice defender in Gerrard’s eyes. He has played consistently over the last two seasons. However, he has been guilty of making a few errors from time to time.
Why Rangers need a ball-playing defender?
In a team which dominates most of the possession, Rangers cannot afford to have classic no-nonsense defenders. Filip Helander, Nikola Katic and Connor Goldson are not known for their ability to orchestrate attacks. Obviously their job isn’t to open up defences or go on marauding runs. But from time to time, they should be contributing more in the build-up play, especially when Rangers dominate most of the possession.
Whose place could be in danger if a new defender arrives?
Rangers already have four defenders so someone might have to make way to bring in a new ball-playing centre half. Helander was signed for big money in the summer so he might keep his place for the next season. Katic and George Edmundson are both young, so Gerrard might end up being patient with them.
Goldson is someone who has attracted (Daily Star) interest from some of the clubs, so maybe the gaffer might decide to cash in on him to bring in a new defender. However, that’s just speculation from our side. But we do feel that Goldson hasn’t lived up to the expectations given that he was coming from a Premier League club and his place could be in danger.
Campbell wants to see a new centre back arriving and many would agree with the same after Rangers again disappointed during the crunch phase of the season.
