Could Rangers target Connor Goldson prove ideal replacement for Bates?

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Glasgow Rangers are reportedly interested in bringing Connor Goldson to Ibrox during the summer.

According to a recent report from The Scottish Sun, Rangers are keen on signing Connor Goldson from Brighton as Steven Gerrard continues to target big changes ahead of his first season at Ibrox.

After finishing third in the Scottish Premiership this past campaign, Gerrard arguably needs to consider strengthening his options all over the pitch. But it is in defence that the Gers arguably need to do the most business.

The 5-5 draw on the final day of the season encapsulated Rangers’ season in many respects. No team in the league scored more goals than the Gers this past year, but they also had to pick the ball out of the back of their net 25 more times than Celtic did.

What will have certainly not helped Gerrard’s plans is the fact that David Bates has decided to join Hamburg when his contract expires. Bates was arguably Rangers’ best defender over the course of the campaign, with only Danny Wilson probably able to rival him for that honour – and he left in January.

Losing Bates is a huge blow given his potential, but it could certainly be suggested that Goldson would be a superb replacement for the 21-year-old if Rangers manage to get a deal done in the coming months as he also boasts a significant amount of potential yet is already plying his trade in England’s top flight.

Surgery on a heart condition ruled Goldson out for most of 2017, but he would arguably still be a fantastic addition for the Gers, having made a handful of Premier League appearances for the Seagulls this term. He featured regularly in the season before their promotion – when they were beaten in the play-offs – and was starting to get a run in the team when the heart problem was detected.

He has been unlucky not to feature more often this term as well, but is behind one of the league’s most reliable partnerships in Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk. No outfield player has been on the Brighton bench more often than Goldson this season.

Being the pair’s first understudy highlights how highly he is thought of by Chris Hughton, and that would suggest that it may not be easy for Rangers to get a deal done. But if they manage to get him through the door, it would arguably be a fantastic move as they try and replace the exit-bound Bates.