'I've always admired': McLeish backs 'wonderful' £3m ace to thrive if he leaves Rangers this summer
07/02/2024 06:00 AM
When there are so many arrivals, that usually means there has to be a few departures. That is certainly the case with Rangers this summer.
With Hamza Igamane expected to take the tally of new faces to six when he completes his £1.7 million arrival from Moroccan outfit RAF Rabat, that could potentially open the door for Cyriel Dessers to swap Glasgow for Greece.
There is interest from PAOK Salonika, per Filathlos.
In comes Jefte Vital, out goes Borna Barisic. The arrival of Connor Barron should help offset the losses of Ryan Jack and John Lundstram. Oscar Cortes’ return will help Rangers move on from Abdallah Sima.
But will the Glasgow giants bid an emotional farewell to another long-serving stalwart in Conor Goldson? According to the Scottish Sun, there is interest from a recently-relegated yet ambitious Birmingham City outfit.
And Alex McLeish, who picked up silverware at both blue-clad clubs, is backing Goldson to be success wherever he ends up next.
Connor Goldson linked with Rangers exit
"Connor has had a great spell at Rangers and has played for them at the highest level possible; A European final” McLeish tells the Scottish Sun of a man who moved to Scotland in a £3 million deal from Brighton and Hove Albion all the way back in 2018.
"He has immense experience, and he strikes me as the type who will share that experience with others at the club.
"He's had a wonderful time at Rangers over six years, and has shown everyone what he can do and what he's capable of. Connor has certainly done everything that's been asked of him at Ibrox.
"He's scored a goal or two, he's been a threat at set-pieces, and I have always admired his style of play.”
Playing over 300 games and scoring 23 goals, Goldson has been one of the first names on the Rangers team-mate across the last six seasons. But with mistakes creeping into his game, and at the age of 31, is now the time to part ways?
The signing of former AC Milan youngster Clinton Nsiala – dubbed a ‘great signing’ and likened to Calvin Bassey – certainly provides Rangers with that option. The left-footed Nsiala could slot in at the back and allow John Souttar to shift across to the right, onto his favoured side.
Birmingham City keen on Ibrox swoop
"He's been at Rangers for a long time when you think about the modern game, and look at the way players come and go,” adds McLeish, who won a pair of Scottish Premiership titles at Ibrox before guiding Birmingham to League Cup glory in a shock final win over Arsenal.
“It says a lot about him to have that longevity there.
"There are big demands placed on players at Rangers. It's among the biggest and most demanding clubs in the world.
"The fans demand victories every single week, but Connor has been aware of that and handled those demands.
"You've got to be a winner to last that length of time at Rangers. Wherever he goes next, whether it's Birmingham or wherever, that will stand him in good stead."
Goldson still has two years left on his Rangers contract. Birmingham, meanwhile, recently hired former Celtic assistant Chris Davies as their new boss.
