In an interview with RangersTV, Steven Gerrard praised George Edmundson after the Gers went top of the Scottish Premiership with a 5-0 win over Hamilton.
It was the perfect response to Celtic’s defeat at Livingston earlier in the day, with the Gers taking an early lead and dominating throughout.
Edmundson will no doubt take plenty of pride from his contribution to such an important win, especially as this was his first league start for the club.
Plenty of Bears enjoyed his cameo in midfield against Aberdeen last weekend, but today, he was picked as Connor Goldson’s partner in central defence.
Gerrard lauds Rangers defender Edmundson for ‘outstanding’ showing
“Faultless, really strong,” the manager told RangersTV. “He’s been out a little while looking in. I wanted him to get used to how we play and to have a look at the opposition.”
“He’s looked in, he’s been learning, he’s been working ever so hard for his opportunity. That came today and he took it.
“I thought he was faultless – outstanding.”
Verdict
As the Gers boss mentioned in the interview, Edmundson’s opportunities have been limited so far at Ibrox.
He was involved in multiple Europa League qualifiers right at the start of the season, but when the big matches started to come he dropped out, with either Filip Helander or Nikola Katic partnering Goldson.
Yet, he seems unperturbed by his relative lack of playing time. This a guy who looks hungry to get his head down and work hard, having earned a big move this summer from the English fourth tier.
Standing at a well-built 6ft 3″, the 22-year-old brings a considerable physical presence but is also comfortable on the ball.
Perhaps the best compliment he can be paid is that it didn’t look like a first league start for the Englishman. He went about his business in a serene manner and helped diffuse any attacks mustered by the visitors.
A very strong start for Edmundson, then, who has certainly given his manager something to think about.
