Rangers defender Gareth McAuley has made a dream move to Ibrox.
Ex-Rangers captain Lee McCulloch has told the Glasgow Evening Times that he wants to see Gareth McAuley start against Villarreal – at the expense of Connor Goldson.
The Gers beat Livingston 3-0 on Saturday afternoon, with Daniel Candeias, Alfredo Morelos and Scott Arfield getting on the scoresheet in a comfortable win.
A key part of the win was a clean sheet, and that came with Rangers picking McAuley in the heart of their defence, handing the veteran his first start for the club.
The 38-year-old joined on a free transfer in September having left West Bromwich Albion at the end of last season, making a dream move to Ibrox having grown up supporting Rangers.
After a couple of substitute appearances, McAuley started against Livingston and helped notch a clean sheet, putting him in contention to play against Villarreal in the Europa League on Thursday.
It’s a key game against the Spaniards as Rangers look to make it through to the knockout stages of the competition, and boss Steven Gerrard has a major decision to make a centre back with Connor Goldson, Nikola Katic and Joe Worrall also available.
Now, ex-Rangers skipper McCulloch has raved about McAuley, comparing him to David Weir, whilst adding that he should be started against Villarreal alongside Worrall, dropping £3million signing Goldson to the bench.
“Now, in my book, Gareth McAuley has an awful long way to go to be mentioned in the same breath as a Rangers legend like Davie undoubtedly is, but I think that his experience could be vital against Villarreal on Thursday night,” said McCulloch. “Centre-back is the perfect position for a player of such huge experience, and Davie showed that in the way that he organised and spoke to his teammates. Gareth McAuley looks very much in that mould from what I have seen of him both at West Brom, and in his brief but impressive displays in a Rangers jersey so far.”
“Goldson and Katic are young and have plenty of time on their side, as does Worrall. I thought Worrall was excellent in the last European game against Spartak Moscow at Ibrox, and perhaps him and McAuley would be the pairing I would opt for in such a crucial match as Thursday night’s encounter with Villarreal undoubtedly is,” he added.
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