One of Rangers’ best summer signings Connor Goldson was dropped from the side last night.
Instead, the Rangers manager Steven Gerrard decided to play with Joe Worrall and Nikola Katic at the back. This was the first time that particular duo has starred for the club at the heart of the defence.
Many will claim that Goldson was dropped just to give him a rest. After all, the Englishman has played in every competitive game for Rangers this season.
Yet, there could also be another, very clever, reason for Gerrard dropping him last night.
With Worrall and Katic having never been partnered together before, this was a key opportunity to try it out. The Rangers manager looks like he’s now trying to make sure all of his centre-backs can play with each other. Both put in terrific shifts, with Katic even getting the first of the four goals against United.
Goldson has already played with both men, and will have a decent understanding with both. Worrall, however, had only partnered Goldson in Villarreal.
Prepping for defensive injuries
So often when injuries occur in a side’s defence, it breaks up some of the chemistry in a team. All of a sudden, that defence can look extremely vulnerable without one of their regulars in there.
By getting each of his centre-backs to form an understanding with the others, it will be key in the long-term.
Because of this, don’t be surprised if Gareth McAuley starts getting some games soon. The big Northern Irishman signed on a free transfer after leaving West Bromwich Albion, but hasn’t yet made an appearance.
It was touted that he would’ve been one to come in against Ayr, but it never came to fruition. If Gerrard is looking for each of his centre-backs to get to know the others, however, McAuley needs to get some game-time soon.
For now, however, Gerrard is getting good performances from each of his centre-backs. His preferred partnership is Katic and Goldson, that much we know. But we can expect to see plenty of Worrall and McAuley in the coming weeks as the team chemistry continues to grow.
Goldson is an extremely fit player, and didn’t particularly need to be rested against Ayr. Gerrard, however, is showing that he has the vision to build something special at Ibrox.
