Rangers supporters have been rendered speechless by a 7-1 humiliation at the hands of Liverpool at Ibrox – with the worst potentially still to come through Connor Goldson.
The Ibrox vice-captain has been a monumental figure at centre-back for the side since joining in 2018 and in four-and-a-bit years has never had a period of sustained injury.
However, the former Brighton man, 29, limped off the park just before half-time with the score evenly poised at 1-1 on the night.
Academy graduate Leon King – this week linked with a Premier League transfer battle – was substituted on to replace the stalwart defender.
Connor Goldson would then emerge on crutches in worrying photographs which threaten to derail Rangers’ season just as quickly as losing the big man did against last season’s Champions League finalists Liverpool.
Rangers face huge Connor Goldson loss after Liverpool battering
If Rangers fans want a glimpse of what life without the Ibrox defender is going to be like they only need to look at the second half of this demoralising Champions League schooling.
Liverpool netted six goals – including four in a twelve-minute spell.
Speaking after the humiliation at the hands of Jurgen Klopp’s side, Giovanni van Bronckhorst wasn’t exactly positive when he spoke about a potential injury to Connor Goldson.
The Dutch coach also talked about an injury to Ryan Jack, who went off in the second half.
“Both [Goldson and Jack] aren’t good – they couldn’t continue,” said van Bronckhorst [Rangers].
“For Connor, he tore something in his muscle, we have to wait and see exactly what the injury is. The same for Ryan, we have to assess how long it will be.”
Add to this the absences of Scotland international John Souttar and Swedish centre-back Filip Helander until after the World Cup and Rangers are having a defensive crisis.
Ex-Liverpool defender Ben Davies continues to struggle with match fitness, whilst 18-year-old centre-back Leon King is still developing as a player.
USA international James Sands has deputised at centre-back this season but has been found wanting on a few occasions with the NYCFC loanee naturally a defensive midfielder.
Meanwhile, one Champions League upset has surely given Giovanni van Bronckhorst food for thought after comments on the financial disparity between teams.
