Connor Goldson isn’t averse to taking criticism if he hasn’t been at his best. Over four-and-a-half years at Ibrox, the Rangers stalwart has proved that he’s big enough to handle the flak.
But when his commitment is questioned? After 251 games for the club? That’s a different ball game. It hurt him at the time – and it still stings now. In June the 30-year-old centre-back signed a new long-term deal at Gers. But before that, for almost 12 months, there was constant speculation that he was allowing his contract to expire so he could move on.
The perception was that Goldson had his heart set on returning to England. But the big defender has revealed that was NEVER the case. Speaking at length for the first time about the biggest decision of his career, Goldson insists he always wanted to stay in Glasgow. Not being allowed by the club to speak publicly about his situation made Goldson feel uncomfortable.
Especially as he felt fans were having doubts about whether he was giving 100 per cent on the pitch. Now, in a searingly honest interview, he explains that he:
●Felt frustrated he couldn’t tell fans what was going on
● Rejected an offer down south to stay at Rangers
● Wants to spend the rest of his career at Ibrox
● Will only gain legendary status at the club if he wins more trophies and
● Felt helpless earlier this season when his injury coincided with Rangers giving Celtic impetus in the title race
It’s not a coincidence that the defender’s return to Michael Beale ’s starting line-up alongside Ben Davies at the back has seen an upturn in the team’s form.He has been a defensive rock for Rangers under three different managers.
Since signing from Brighton in 2018, Goldson has become immersed in the club. That’s why it was unlikely that he was going to leave six months ago.
He said: “It frustrated me (that people assumed I was leaving). The worst thing about it was that I couldn’t say anything.
“If I only played OK, it felt like the fans thought: ‘He’s not trying because he doesn’t want to be here.’ Then if I had a good game, it would be: ‘He’s only playing well because he wants to move.’
“I didn’t like the perception that supporters thought I was leaving – and that I wasn’t trying or didn’t care. I care more than anyone. I always have. That’s what hurt the most.
“For everything I was giving, it felt like it was getting thrown back at me that I didn’t want to be here. That was never the case.”
So why did it take so long to sign the extended contract under Giovanni van Bronckhorst last season? Goldson admits he weighed up his options. But in a warning to current out-of-contract stars at Ibrox, he knew he’d struggle to find anywhere bigger or better than Rangers.
He said: “The truth is, I had a contract offered to me last September. I said no and, after that, we didn’t speak about it. The games got more important (in the run to the Europa League Final) so we sat down and said we’d talk at the end of the season.
“That made it look like I was 100 per cent leaving, which wasn’t the case. I went away for a week in the summer and spoke to my wife. I looked at people who have left and thought: ‘Are they happy?’
“My wife said: ‘You could get more money elsewhere but are you going to play?’ She knows what I’m like when I don’t play. She’s settled in Glasgow, so are my kids.
“We felt this place is where we’re happiest. And in that first week Rangers came back with another contract offer – and I said yes. I signed it on my first day back from holiday.
“I could have gone back to England and been closer to our families. There was one concrete offer. But I didn’t want to go to a club where we weren’t going to win most games – I couldn’t take that, mentally.
“I chose to stay at a club where you have to win. I’ve got used to winning. When I lose or draw, it’s like the end of the world. It was a big part of my decision to stay.
“Would I give advice now to players in the same position? No, not really.
“They have to make their own decisions for their own careers. But if they move on, Rangers have to get new players who are ready to win. That’s what we’re here for.”
If Goldson stays injury free and continues to rack up games at this rate, he could become one of the club’s all-time appearance holders. He’s unlikely to catch the greatest-ever Ranger, John Greig on 755.
But to have his name alongside the likes of Ally McCoist, Davie Cooper and Derek Johnstone – who all amassed over 500 games – would earn Goldson legendary status. He says the only way that will be achieved is if he wins a lot more silverware in the next four years.
He’ll be 34 when his current contract expires and Goldson said: “I’d feel content spending the rest of my career here.
“I’m happy and feel in a good place, physically and mentally. Just before my injury I felt I was hitting my best form of the season. And I feel like I’ve come back to exactly the same place.
“I love this club and what they represent. I love the pressure on me every day to be better. I’m 30 now but I want to improve.
“To be a legend at this club you need to have won a lot more than I’ve won here. In different times people have been here two years and won more than me.
“So I need to win a lot more trophies to be regarded in that way. But I’m proud that I’ve played 251 games in four-and-a-half years. When I first signed, people questioned my physical capabilities. But my numbers speak for themselves.”
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