Rangers produced the perfect start to their Europa League group with a 1-0 win over Feyenoord, on a night when emotions were high as the club paid tribute to Fernando Ricksen.
Sheyi Ojo, who hasn’t escaped criticism since his move from Liverpool, continued his good run in Europe with a thunderbolt in the first half of the game.
That came after James Tavernier missed a penalty but it proved to be enough as the Rangers backline kept out Feyenoord at Ibrox.
Rangers should perhaps have made the tie safe in the first 45 minutes and you can see their dominance in the Attack Momentum graph from SofaScore (home side is on the top).
The second half was a different proposition and Feyenoord came back into the game, with Allan McGregor making some key saves, although both teams had opportunities to score.
Scott Arfield put in an incredible shift. He was absolutely everywhere in the first 70 minutes of the game, before appearing to flag in the closing stages.
We thought Steven Gerrard should have taken him off before the 90-minute mark, but he was absolutely pivotal to the Rangers win.
One player who disappointed a lot of Rangers fans was centre-back Connor Goldson, a mainstay in the Rangers defence.
He misplaced some passes and almost gifted a goal to Feyenoord, but looked solid aside from that to us.
Many Rangers fans weren’t convinced though.
Here are the best reactions to his display at Ibrox:
I rate Goldson as highly as any CB we've had in the last decade – but he looks like a guy under pressure right now. Not sure how well he's coping. https://t.co/UkENN7shLV
— adidasler (@adidasler3) September 20, 2019
This was one of the most measured criticisms of Goldson last night. He said, “I rate Goldson as highly as any CB we’ve had in the last decade, but he looks like a guy under pressure right now.”
The big debate among Rangers fans surrounds Goldson and Nikola Katic, with plenty of fans wondering why Goldson never gets dropped, while Katic is in and out of the side.
Katic has made 10 appearances this season but wasn’t in the squad last night.
Goldson is out of form and I think that showed again last night, whilst defending well his distribution at times can be lazy.
They’re 2 different types of defenders.
Helander kept Goldson tight last night.
A rest is needed for the big fella— charlie croker (@charliecroker54) September 20, 2019
Issue is Goldson can make as many mistakes as he wants because he’ll never get dropped. Katic has a poor game and he’s not even in the next squad.
— DT (@telfer17) September 19, 2019
Helander motm by a mile! Thanks for coming, now drop goldson and play helander and katic what the people want.
— KyleCushnie (@kylecushnieee) September 19, 2019
Goldson has been rotten for weeks
Rather it was katic and helander going forward— Niko bellic (@bellic1879) September 19, 2019
One fan said Goldson “has been rotten for weeks”, a somewhat harsh assessment of the player.
We didn’t think Goldson was rotten last night, although he did misplace some passes.
Others agreed with us. WhoScored gave Goldson a 7.3 rating, higher than Filip Helander alongside him who got a 6.7.
Goldson dominated his box and won 88% of his aerial duels [WhoScored]which a lot of fans seem to be ignoring.
Goldson’s passing is horrendous.
Cost us against Celtic and nearly cost us again in the first half.
I think he’s a good player, but he’s a liability at times – he always has a mistake in him.
— Del (@Loyal72Rangers) September 19, 2019
Goldson on his game is a good player, but he has looked dodgy in last few games
— David (@DJH_EK) September 19, 2019
Agree I thought Tav was also poor and goldson needs dropped for some reason he seems to udroppable
— Barry Brady (@Baz_Brady) September 19, 2019
Some fans called for Goldson to be dropped, starting with the game against St Johnstone on Sunday. He’s played the full 90 minutes in all five Premiership games so far this season, and eight Europa League qualifiers. A rest might be in order.
I agree 100% boycie. I'm a massive Katic fan.
But can't argue with the result.
I thought Goldson was the weak link defensively. But I am happy with that result— Craig Clements (@naefish1000) September 19, 2019
Goldson cannot play at the weekend actual aweful. If we had another option at RB I'd drop tav been poor recently
— Reeiycsscseee (@rhysGrieve_118) September 19, 2019
Helander and Barisic both solid tonight! Goldson defos needs a spell on the bench
— Dom Beattie (@dombeattie_) September 19, 2019
I’ll tell you who wasn’t man of the match. Goldson. Liability EVERY SINGLE GAME!
— Wolfman's Got Nards (@wolfmansnards) September 19, 2019