Connor Goldson's Rangers injury absence will expose hollow argument - Joshua Barrie

The 29-year-old fell to the ground in pain clutching his left thigh just before the half-time whistle during the midweek humiliation against Liverpool. It was especially frustrating for the defender having gotten the better of his battle with Darwin Nunez up until that point in a half where Allan McGregor wasn’t forced to make a save and Rangers largely contained the visitor’s transitional threat. 

The collapse that ensued from 55-minutes onwards was unlikely to have been prevented by one player. And it’s easy to be a revisionist after the event. One goal conceded in the first half and six in the second is not simply down to Goldson’s omission. Football is rarely so black and white although you’d be hard-pressed to find a single supporter who’d argue that the vice-captain would not have helped stem the tide in the centre of defence as Jurgen Klopp’s side surged forwards relentlessly.

If the defender is to miss a number of matches due to what Giovanni van Bronckhorst called “muscular pain” post-match, his absence will expose the bogus narrative that’s reared its head on Goldson’s off days. It suggests that he's been overrated by both Steven Gerrard and van Bronckhorst and that Rangers’ dependency on him is exaggerated.

Since agreeing to a new deal this summer, committing his next four years to the club, Goldson’s largely struggled to replicate his strongest performances. Finally playing next to Ben Davies appeared to coax out that form shown on the road to Seville and against Nunez, prior to his injury, the Englishman was dominant. Tracking the Uruguayan into midfield, winning battles in the air and last-ditch duels.

Rangers Review (Image: Rangers Review)

Playing at centre-back in a pure man-marking system is not easy and can leave a defender exposed without the support structure of a compact defensive shape. John Souttar learned this the hard way on the opening day of the season when he failed to last 90 minutes against Livingston. Used to playing in a back three and defending his box, the Scotland international’s pace and mobility struggled in West Lothian.

Contrastingly, Goldson has been such a permanent fixture under Gerrard and van Bronckhorst not only due to his attributes on the ball but his varied defensive ability. Under Gerrard, he was tasked with staying in his zone and marshalling a high line whereas under van Bronckhorst he’s regularly pulled all over the pitch to mark the opposition forward. Combined with the accurate diagonals he can hit to play over pressure and not simply hand back possession, his absence was painfully notable for the entire second period.

Still, the former Brighton player has never seemed to quite win over elements of the fanbase despite both of his managers categorically using him as their defensive bedrock. With his muscular injury likely leading to a prolonged spell out of the team, perhaps only his absence will show his true value. Because of its infrequency, there’s never really been an extended period without the player since he arrived in the summer of 2018.

“His consistency of performance means he is someone I can always rely on,” van Bronckhorst said of the player in the summer.

READ MORE: Rangers' goal cluster debacles have Giovanni van Bronckhorst on the brink - Jonny McFarlane

With news filtering out yesterday that Ben Davies may well have picked up a knock in midweek, Rangers could head into Sunday’s game with Motherwell carrying just two fit centre-backs. 18-year-old Leon King and James Sands who has split his time between defence and midfield during his nearly year-long stay in Glasgow.

The games don’t really stop until the football calendar does for the World Cup next month. After too many humiliating defeats this calendar year, Rangers’ constant undertone of fragility has once again taken centre stage.

Goldson is by no means free from criticism and has played his part in damaging defeats this season. But his injury before the second half on Wednesday, and the subsequent defensive weakness, confirmed his absence will only exacerbate the serious, undeniable issues that ruminate around Ibrox.