Rangers squeaked through to the next qualifying round of the Europa League on Thursday night after a 1-1 draw at Ibrox, and fans were left raving about the display of new centre-back Connor Goldson.
Goldson was signed in the summer from Brighton for £3million after new manager Steven Gerrard set about overhauling Rangers’ creaking defence.
And the 25-year-old looked the real deal last night in a game where Rangers had to rely on their backline to keep them in the competition after Osijek equalised in the dying moments of the game.
It made for a nervy last few minutes after Nikola Katic had doubled the home side’s aggregate lead in the 53rd minute.
Rangers will now play Maribor of Slovenia in the third qualifying round.
Here are the best reactions from Rangers fans to their new centre-back:
Katic and Goldson are gonna prove to be vital for us this season! Another impressive performance from our defence lastnight! Though Ryan jack was amazing! EVERY SATURDAY WE FOLLOW ??????????
— The Philip ????? (@rhysphilip95) August 3, 2018
Connor Goldson is a top player and deserves all the game time he gets. I think he is worth a lot more than the 3 million we got for him. Good luck Rangers and Connor. @OfficialBHAFC @RangersFC
— James Foster (@JamesFoster74) August 3, 2018
Jack, Katic and Goldson were genuinely just about flawless tonight, great performance, onto Maribor ????????
— Brad ???? (@Bxgheed) August 2, 2018
Goldson was my MOTM tonight. He was all over the park and bossing it at the back. Looked like he was even telling Tav what to do at a few points!
— Blake 1349 ???????????????????????????????? (@Blake1872) August 2, 2018
Aye, he impressed me in Croatia to be fair. Goldson rules the show. Demands everything ????????????
— Bryan McK (@BMcK_MRT) August 2, 2018
Katic and Goldson at the back is different school.
— Scott (@_Scottmitchell7) August 2, 2018
Peter, Goldson is a cut above mate. Class act ??????????
— Bryan McK (@BMcK_MRT) August 2, 2018
Goldson was outstanding. Didn't put a foot wrong. Katic was solid but he looks uncomfortable on the ball at times.
— Kevin (@SerMuscat) August 2, 2018
Disappointed to concede at the end, but decent performance overall. Jack, Katic and Goldson superb! ??????????
— Scott ????? (@SGemmell_14) August 2, 2018
Goldson looks like the best signing we’ve made in the past 10 years defos
— Dylan Forsyth (@Dylan_F98) August 2, 2018
I actually believe in this defence, still think big Goldson is Captain material seems to be the main man! Wee Morelos working his socks off aswell again!
— ????????????????????????????JustGary???????????????????????????? (@Garymac75) August 2, 2018
OPINION
Gerrard’s first big job at Rangers was to sort out the defence and he’s done that, with Katic and Goldson already forming a brilliant partnership at the heart of the defence. Katic possibly didn’t get the praise that he deserves because he played alongside Goldson, who was, as one Rangers fan said, “flawless” last night. Another fan went even further and said he was the best signing Rangers have made in 10 years. That’s going some but he’s already a big hit with the Rangers fans and a solid defence should make all the difference next season. One worry would be one of the two centre-backs picking up an injury. Not getting Jake Cooper over the line has left Rangers vulnerable.