Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has heaped praise on George Edmundson as well as highlighting Connor Goldson’s display, with both players starring during Wednesday evening’s Europa League win over Braga, as quoted by Rangers.co.uk.
The Gers triumphed 1-0 in Portugal to seal a 4-2 aggregate scoreline and progress through to the last 16.
It was an outstanding performance across two legs, to beat a side who had been in remarkable form leading into the tie.
The defensive effort was superb and that centred around commanding performances from both Edmundson and Goldson at the heart of the back four.
The former was particularly impressive, given it was his first-ever appearance in the Europa League proper.
“First and foremost, I got a feeling he was ready,” said Gerrard, as quoted by Rangers.co.uk. “He has been ready for a while and he waited patiently for an opportunity.”
“They don’t come much bigger than away against Braga against that level of opponent. I thought Connor was outstanding as well next to him and as a pair, they were absolutely faultless, so I am really proud of both of them.”
Verdict
Edmundson was widely praised by Bears for his showing and rightly so, but both centre-backs deserve major credit.
They were charged with stopping a Braga side who have defeated Porto (twice), Sporting Lisbon (twice) and Benfica since the return from the winter break and they rose to the occasion.
They were both outstanding in the air, dealing with cross after cross, but they also read the game well and Edmundson, in particular, was able to follow the play into wide channels to snuff out danger.
Following the defensive woes of recent times, not least in the 2-2 weekend draw at St Johnstone, it was a timely performance and the inexperienced Edmundson has done his chances of an extended run in the side a world of good.
