Rangers: Andy Halliday makes Connor Goldson admission after Philippe Clement axe v Hearts
Andy Halliday has admitted that he “would be amazed” if Rangers defender Connor Goldson didn’t return to the starting XI against St Mirren.
Philippe Clement made the bold decision to drop the Englishman for Sunday’s (21 April) Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts, which the Gers won 2-0 whilst keeping an impressive clean sheet at Hampden Park.
While some supporters and pundits have urged Clement to stick with a combination of John Souttar and Leon Balogun at the heart of the Light Blues’ defence Halliday has insisted that can’t see the 31-year-old missing out again.
Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (22 April) he said: “You’re absolutely right because him [Goldson] and James Tavernier are nailed on in the starting XI week in and week out, regardless of their form because you know what they’re capable of.
“So it took everyone aback when you saw the starting XI that he wasn’t included. I then found out that Philippe Clement said he planned to rest him against Dundee but because of Leon Balogun’s illness they pushed it back.
“I don’t know if you rest players in the Scottish Cup semi-finals. It’s interesting though because I just don’t see that back four playing the rest of the season. Whether it’s right or wrong, I think Connor Goldson will come back in.
“Whether that’s for Balogun or John Souttar I’m not sure but I would be amazed if he doesn’t come back in this weekend.”
Will Connor Goldson start for Rangers and Philippe Clement against St Mirren?
Goldson has come in for plenty of criticism over the last few weeks as Rangers’ dip in performance has coincided with his own personal dip in form over the last couple of games at Ibrox.
The Englishman is far from perfect and he has made some costly errors under Clement, but is beginning to become clear that he will not be going anywhere during the summer transfer window, especially at this moment in time.
Not every supporter will be happy with that, but Balogun himself has struggled for form at times this season, especially in Old Firm fixtures against Celtic where he let himself down in the defeat at Parkhead earlier this term.
Clement likes to constantly rotate his side and he is almost certainly going to make one or two changes ahead of the clash with St Mirren on Sunday (28 April). It shouldn’t come as a shock if the 31-year-old is one of those introduced.
In other Rangers news, Abdallah Sima has broken his silence following his injury in the Hampden showdown with Hearts
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