As Rangers stumbled against Aberdeen, it’s easy to lose a sense of perspective given both the manner of the performance and just how excited we all were to see the Gers back in action.
After three weeks without the club – enforced by a controversial rescheduling of the winter break – Rangers travelled to face Aberdeen with a side very different from the one that would’ve played the Dons in December.
Summed up by the inclusion of James Sands, Rangers were a team wounded by key player absences but one who also came up woefully short in the icey breeze of the Pittodrie battle.
But as several players floundered, one man in Connor Goldson once again proved his genuine value to this Rangers team as the club potentially prepare for life without the defender come the summer.
Ever since Steven Gerrard came into Ibrox, Connor Goldson has been one of the foundations of this team and by proxy the club’s rebuilding.
He is a monumental figure on the Ibrox backline and since Gerrard and his backroom staff left for Aston Villa has been a man reformed under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Connor Goldson Aberdeen showing proves value to Rangers team
The Ibrox defender’s post-Hibs meltdown now sounds a lot more like someone calling his teammates out than a man admitting defeat and Rangers would be a lot worse off without him.
Keeping Aberdeen striker Christian Ramirez in check for the majority of the match, but for that Alfredo Morelos handball and some dodgy refereeing Rangers may have escaped Pittodrie with all three points rather than one.
But for all the Ibrox side’s shortcomings against the Dons, Rangers were resolute and composed and Connor summed up a stubborn defence let down by a lack of creativity between midfield and attack.
As Goldson’s contract ticks down – and Rangers cast their gaze elsewhere – preparing for life without the centre-back seems an increasing probability.
But if the player’s controlled and composed performance at Rangers bogey ground Pittodrie is anything to go by, there will be a monumental hole to fill come May.
One of the men touted to replace Ibrox stalwart Connor Goldson has also been speaking about the Champions League and a £75m motivation amid much transfer conjecture.