Clement won’t deny Goldson will start for Rangers v St Mirren

0
Clement won’t deny Goldson will start for Rangers v St Mirren
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 14: Connor Goldson of Rangers is consoled by Philippe Clement, Manager of Rangers, after the team's defeat in the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Rangers FC and SL Benfica at Ibrox Stadium on March 14, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Rangers manager Philippe Clement has evaded talk on the defence after failing to deny Connor Goldson will be straight back into the team on Sunday, or to confirm Leon Balogun would keep his place.

ADVERTISEMENT

Speaking before Rangers begin the critical Split fixtures, the boss explained that he’s very happy with all four defenders that he has, and he analyses each fixture to see who would be best for that particular match.

Rangers supporters would understandably be a bit sceptical of this given Goldson has been completely untouchable under Clement and every other manager since he joined, and we’re not sure we quite buy the notion that Clement weighs it all up pre-match.

If he did, he’d have dropped the players not performing, like Goldson, and restored the likes of Leon Balogun long before now.

ADVERTISEMENT

Intriguingly though, Clement is officially omitting Leon King as a viable option by the use of ‘four’ defenders:

Goldson, Souttar, Balogun and Davies.

This means King is surplus and not considered anything like a first-team pick and is barely a sub.

ADVERTISEMENT

And it’s true – King didn’t develop, just like McCausland hasn’t, and both of these Auchenhowie graduates might have had their chances but just didn’t shine in any way before losing their places.

But it’s the clear statement from Clement that those four are his centre-back choices and King isn’t a fifth.

But also that lack of denial that Goldson would not be straight back in, or confirmation that Balogun would keep his place is very conspicuous so we’d be anything but shocked if Goldson is right back in defence same as always.

ADVERTISEMENT

And it has been suggested John Souttar is the one who will make way, for a Goldson Balogun rearguard. All because Souttar had a slightly ‘lesser’ match v Hearts.

If that is what happens, a lot of fans really won’t be happy.

No posts to display