Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard was not pleased with Connor Goldson’s performance for the Ibrox club on Thursday.
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard and Ibrox defender Connor Goldson
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard was not happy with the Ibrox club’s defeat to Spartak Moscow in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
The Gers were 3-2 up at half time, but the Ibrox side went down 4-3 in the end in Moscow.
Rangers boss Gerrard was not pleased with the way the Gers defended, and strongly criticised his defence.
As quoted by The Scottish Sun, the Liverpool legend said about Rangers defender Connor Goldson: “I think Under-12s or Under-13s can normally clear the ball with either foot.”
Arsenal legend Martin Keown, who now works as a pundit for BBC Sport and BT Sport, has warned Rangers manager Gerrard about using such strong language.
The Scottish Sun quotes Keown as saying: “I think he (Gerrard) has got to be very careful about language he uses, talking about 12-year-olds would have been able to clear that ball.
“The player is hurting enough as it is and so, also, is the manager. It was really kamikaze defending at times.
“Goldson was involved in quite a few of the goals that were conceded and it’s still fresh after the game.”
The former England international defended added: “As he gets more experience as a manager…look, it’s damaging talking about a player in that manner.”
Strong words
Goldson – who joined Rangers from Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer transfer window for a transfer fee reported by The Glasgow Evening Times to be worth £3 million – has been one of the best players for Rangers so far this season.
However, it cannot be denied that the defender was very poor against Spartak and left much to be desired.
Gerrard’s frustration is understandable, but the Rangers manager will know that the 25-year-old central defender can bounce back.
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