Connor Goldson has revealed that he spoke to one Rangers star throughout his struggles earlier in the season and understood what he was going through.
The central defender has once again been a central figure for Philippe Clement in his first-team squad this season, just like he has been under other managers since signing for the club in 2018.
And the manager clearly views Goldson and John Souttar as the partnership to help achieve Scottish Premiership title success within the next couple of months at Ibrox.
In saying that, Goldson hasn’t been immune to a dodgy defensive performance or two across the 2023/24 campaign – most recently in the disappointing home defeat to Motherwell.
And he’s had moments like that across his Rangers career where he has come under fire from the club’s demanding supporters.
So when one of his fellow squad members was going through a really tough spell this season, Goldson knew exactly how he was feeling and the importance of being a supportive teammate.
Goldson was there for new Rangers signing
As quoted in the Daily Record, Connor Goldson opened up on his relationship with Cyriel Dessers, who signed for Rangers in the summer for £4.5m from Cremonese.
He praised the Nigerian striker, who by his own good form and help from Philippe Clement now has 18 goals for the season [Transfermarkt] after a rocky start in Govan.
During that tough time when fans were on his back, Dessers was approached by Goldson and the defender relayed to him the rollercoaster of emotions playing for Rangers can bring.
But Dessers had the mental strength to reach the light at the end of the tunnel and he is now heading into the Old Firm clash against Celtic on Sunday with huge confidence.
Goldson said after being asked if Dessers has proved the doubters wrong: “A million per cent.
“I think you have to give him massive credit for that because I have been here for a long time and I understand how hard it is when you go through bad times.
“For that to happen at the start of his Rangers career? I think a lot of people would have gone under.
“To be fair to him, he carried on working and working and he is getting goals now. Everyone is happy with him.
“I spoke to him. I have said it before, it is the best club in the world to play for when things go well, but it is the hardest club to play for when things don’t.
“We knew it would turn around at some point and, luckily, not only for him but for the whole team and all the new players, it did.”
Can Cyriel Dessers break Celtic duck?
Dessers drew blanks in the previous two Old Firm games of the season at Ibrox and latterly Celtic Park, both of which ended in Rangers losses.
During the 2-1 defeat at Parkhead in December, the 29-year-old missed a golden opportunity to put Rangers ahead in the clash when he lost all sense of composure in front of goal.
So can Dessers prove on the ultimate stage this Sunday that he really has turned a corner in his Rangers career?
Goldson thinks by scoring against Celtic, his teammate can further strengthen the adoration fans now have for the striker.
Goldson said: “Of course, but at the same time he just needs to keep doing it every single game. Like I have said before, at the end of the season he will be judged on his numbers. It won’t just be this game (against Celtic).
“He will be judged on how he has helped the team throughout the season and how many goals he has scored. Recently he has been doing that really well so hopefully that can continue.”
