Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has admitted that he “overused” Connor Goldson last season as he talked up the options he has at centre-back.
Ibrox vice-captain Goldson came in for criticism at times last season – not always fairly – with Steven Gerrard also taking flak for persisting with the player despite his performances taking a downturn.
Speaking to RangersTV, the Gers gaffer has admitted that he played Goldson too often in what was a long season and announced his intentions to switch things up this campaign.
“I think what we found last year is that we overused Connor Goldson,” said Gerrard.
“We obviously got an injury to Fil and then a huge setback with Katic early in pre-season.
“We need four centre-backs all fit and available. Leon is one that we’re not sure if he can churn out the games like Goldson.
“You will see in my selections from time-to-time even off the back of a clean sheet or a good performance that we make a change in that area because we have to manage them as well.
“I think they’ll all play over the course of the season because I’ve got full trust in them all.”
Gerrard’s comments come with Rangers well-stocked at centre-back and the club currently in the middle of a record-breaking Ibrox clean sheet run.
Rangers have started the season with six clean sheets on the bounce, beating a 91-year-old record set by a Bill Struth’s team.
Last season the Gers were caught short when an injury in the Betfred Cup final ruled Filip Helander out for the remainder of the season and Connor Goldson obviously ran out of steam towards the end of the campaign.
This year Rangers want to be smarter with how they use their defensive players and Steven Gerrard has expressed his confidence in the options he has at the back.
“When I look at the squad now, with four, five weeks left of the window, I’m really content,” said Gerrard.
“I think we’re complete in them areas (defence).
“Injury aside I think we’ve got two really good players in each position.
“We’ve got a fantastic keeper who pushes the number ones in Andy Firth, young kid’s pushing Tav, Calvin’s pushing Borna and as I’ve said before the four centre backs are all good enough to play.
“So I’m really happy with what I’ve got from a back five point of view.”