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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Rangers receive Connor Goldson injury boost ahead of Celtic semi-final

Connor Goldson should return from injury in time to face Celtic in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.

Rangers boss Michael Beale provided a positive fitness update on the centre-back today.

The ex-Brighton defender was a huge absentee from Rangers' starting XI as they went down 3-2 at Parkhead last weekend.

And while he won't be back to face St Mirren this weekend at Ibrox, Beale has detailed that he should be ready to play against Aberdeen a week on Sunday.

He told RangersTV: "From last weekend, Connor won’t return. He’ll be more likely to back for Aberdeen, or certainly the semi-final at the end of the month. 

"We’ve got one or two bumps and bruises and players didn’t train this morning. There was a game on Tuesday against Chelsea reserves in which Scott Wright, Ianis Hagi, Leon King and Rabbi Matondo were able to play and get some valuable minutes. 

"So we’ll assess again, then pick the squad for the weekend."

On the exit of Ross Wilson to Nottingham Forest, Beale admitted he was disappointed to see the sporting director go. 

The manager conceded he's lot a "good ally" in the shape of the 39-year-old. 

He added: "Firstly, you're disappointed to lose a good person, someone I've worked with over the last three-and-a-half years over two spells at the club.

"Ross was hugely positive in his day-to-day work here at the club and he brought a lot of the departments together.

"His job was to oversee first-team football operations, recruitment, medical, the academy, the women's teams and bring all of that in line. We've seen good success from the time that he was here. 

"He was influential in me coming back in and he's a person that I probably spoke to the most out of anybody at Rangers and was between me and the board.  I feel like I've lost a good ally.

"One thing I would say that is a big strength of Ross is that he never micromanaged anybody. He allowed people to grow in their role and do it to the fullest.

"In the short-term there will be a void in terms of Ross leaving, but the heads of departments are ready to step into the role. A lot of the planning for pre-season and recruitment for next season has already been done.

"I've been aware for the last couple of weeks. I'm disappointed for Rangers that Ross has moved on.

"On a personal level I'm happy for him and his family that he feels this is a challenge he'd like to take. 

"Having known Ross for as long as I have, I know this isn't the first opportunity to have come his way. So, if he feels this is the right thing for him then we wish him well, we feel that he did a good job here but now it's time to move forward strongly."

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