Following the departures of Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, Filip Helander, Scott Arfield and Allan McGregor in 2023, this summer may have another ‘end of an era’ feel about it for Rangers.
The contracts of Ryan Jack, John Lundstram, Kemar Roofe and Borna Barisic are all due to expire in July. Barisic, in particular, appears increasingly unlikely to sign a new deal, one of the longest-serving members of the Ibrox roster reportedly on his way to Trabzonspor.
And while Barisic’s Rangers career is not exactly ending in the way he would have liked – losing his place in the starting XI as the standard of his performances plummet – a player who moved to Glasgow all the way back in 2018 and has proven to be outstanding value for money at £2 million deserves to bow out with the respect, nay, the admiration, of everyone in blue.
The same should be said of Connor Goldson.
Connor Goldson’s best days may be behind him at Rangers
While this may not be Goldson’s final season at Ibrox, it may be his final season as a regular starter. Like Barisic, mistakes are flooding into his game at the age of 31.
But, like Barisic, recency bias should not take the shine off what has been a largely excellent Rangers career, Goldson making over 300 appearances in six years and a colossus at the heart of Steven Gerrard’s title-winning campaign and a few stand-out results in Europe.
“Connor’s brilliant. He always is, whether he is playing or not,” says fellow veteran Leon Balogun, paying tribute to Goldson after taking his place for the Scottish Cup semi-final victory over Hearts, Philippe Clement making the arguably overdue call to remove the suddenly-maligned centre-half from the XI.
“I feel like, a lot of the time, he doesn’t always get the credit he deserves. Connor is always vital. And, in terms of his communication on and off the pitch, his presence, it’s not easy to replicate that.
“He encouraged everyone.”
It can be difficult to know how to deal with situations like this, particularly for supporters. How do you demand loyal servants such as Barisic and Goldson be dropped from the first-team, while remaining respectful and grateful to two clubs who have produced countless stellar displays during years of loyal service?
That is the dilemma many a Rangers fan found themselves facing as two defenders with over 500 appearances and with six trophies between them started to decline in front of their eyes.
For Ally McCoist, the legendary Gers striker, Balogun may have cemented his place in Clement’s XI for the remainder of the season after a faultless display against Hearts at Hampden Park.
Gers may be eyeing replacements
“I take it a step further. I say Balogun, on that performance (vs Steven Naismith’s men), is his number one centre-back,” McCoist told Premier Sports.
“Goldson might get back in but it’ll be for (John) Souttar.”
Rangers, still within a shot at a domestic treble, have two make-or-break Old Firm derbies approaching, facing Celtic away in the league before facing off against their Glasgow neighbours in May’s Scottish Cup final.
Leopold Querfeld, the£2 million-rated Rapid Vienna defender, is one potential Goldson successor at Ibrox.
