Have Rangers found a new ‘Barry Ferguson’?

In a previous entry, we discussed how impressed by Sean Goss we were, but that the only thing missing from his game appeared to be Barry Ferguson-esque enforcement.

It is almost as if the on-loan QPR man read that himself and decided to add such qualities to his display, for last night’s showing at Firhill was easily his best yet, and the midfielder rolled his sleeves up and produced a titanic mountain of work pulling the strings in midfield while contributing gamely as normal with his left peg.

We had suggested in previous articles that he was composed, smooth, and had one heck of a delivery on his left toe, but lacked the leadership and dictatorship of a midfield general like our former captain. Indeed, it stopped him being the complete player.

Well, from helping with defence, to supporting attack, to throwing in excellent balls from both set piece and live play situations, to tackling, to harrying, and everything else Ferguson used to do, Goss looked to us like a player developing as we speak, match by match.

He even physically resembles his illustrious predecessor from general appearance to those distinct white ankle supports, and while we would urge caution before absolutely comparing the two, we cannot help but see both the physical and playing resemblance as it grows increasingly match by match.

He is not a leader, our Sean – unlike Barry he will not bark out instructions and tell his team mates what to do. He will never be ‘greetin’ faced’…

But he is without any shadow of a doubt growing into a more rounded midfielder every match, developing the ability to pull strings more and more. His delivery for what should have been a Cummings goal later on, denied by ‘simulation’ at best from Thistle stopper Cerny was itself another example of the extraordinary vision and distribution the lad has, and if he continues to develop in this manner, Rangers’ management will be working furiously this summer to persuade QPR to sell.

It does bode well – Greg Docherty is a strong, physical, dynamic central midfielder who himself is only going to develop too, and if he and Goss become a partnership, it would certainly be a fine pairing to drive on with either in the 4-2-3-1 Murty favours or even a 4-4-2.

Mind you, we are pretty sure McCrorie, Jack, Rossiter and even Dorrans might have something to say about that!

Still, if there is one position Rangers do not lack quality depth in, it is central midfield. But should Goss keep on this like he is, it will be his position to lose.