Rangers have kept the same back four for the last two games as Steven Gerrard looks to build a solid backline for an assault on the Scottish Premiership.
James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and Borna Barisic have completed the last 180 minutes of football at Rangers.
What we’re seeing in them doing so is the emergence of Rangers strongest back four.
Against both Feyenoord and St. Johnstone you’ve seen four mature, fit, capable footballers control, marshall and win football matches.
James Tavernier and Connor Goldson are amongst the first names on the teamsheet at Ibrox. Helander and Barisic are finally beginning to stake a claim.
For much of the season, Nikola Katic has partnered Connor Goldson. Rather than the young Croatian, it’s been ex-Brighton man Goldson who many feel should’ve made way for Filip Helander.
But it’s clear Rangers and Gerrard don’t believe Katic is quite there yet – that there are immaturities in his game which can only be ironed out in time.
Katic didn’t even make the 18 today.
Goldson and Helander look very comfortable, powerful and reliable at the back. It’s that word reliable that is key.
The emergence of Borna Barisic too could see Rangers develop a real asset down that left-hand side.
Barisic is a player of unquestionable ability but has often lacked the commitment to make it in Scotland – but we’ve seen plenty of it over the last two games.
On paper, this four appears our strongest, most mature combination of defenders.
The combined fees of £8.25m (Tavernier £250k, Goldson £3.5m, Helander £3m, Barisic £1.5m) certainly make it our most expensive.
Three of the four are 26-year-old. James Tavernier, the oldest of the bunch, is still only 27.
If these four players can emerge as our solid back four, they can be the foundation of the club’s title challenge.
