Rangers’ defenders have been getting switched around more than anyone in the Gers squad this season.
It all started with Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic at the start of the season. It was a partnership that pushed Rangers into the Europa League group stages in convincing fashion.
The Rangers fans loved it, and it racked up an impressive seven clean sheets in 14 outings. It was, in large part, the main reason why the Steven Gerrard era was so successful early on.
Then Joe Worrall arrived with the promise of game-time at Ibrox. He came on-loan from Nottingham Forest, and put in quite the shift in Villarreal. Since then, however, he’s stumbled from game-to-game and failed to look anything like commanding.
Gerrard has tried now on several occasions to throw Katic back in to the mix. With Goldson, he’s managed to ship four goals over the course of their return as a partnership over two games. Alongside Worrall, both men failed to convince once again at home to Motherwell last weekend.
It was an annihilation of the Steelmen, but there were certainly some poor defensive moments. So what, therefore, could be the answer to Rangers’ defensive crisis?
Is McAuley the answer?
Perhaps it’s the newly-fit Gareth McAuley. That’s twice now he’s featured for the Gers since returning from injury. Granted, his first was a late cameo in Moscow as Rangers searched for an equaliser.
Rangers fans got a slightly better view of him against Motherwell last weekend. He did the simple things well and it seemed he was quite happy with the no-nonsense approach.
This is a player who has had a plethora of experience in the English Premiership. McAuley has racked up a sensational 227 appearances at the Hawthorns. Added to that, McAuley has managed to obtain 79 international caps with Northern Ireland, and experienced Euro 2016 with his country.
There’s no reason not to stick your hat on him and make him Goldson’s number one partner at the back. Out of all of the defenders currently at the club, the supporters have been mostly impressed by Goldson.
He’s the signing that’s solidified the Gers back-line. Despite the fact those leaks have opened up once more, he’s consistently very professional in his work and strong in the air.
Working Goldson alongside McAuley could work wonders for the Gers defence. At the very least, Gerrard should give it a go whilst he continues to tinker with it.
