backup 4,724 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 REST UP Rangers boss Steven Gerrard admits he’s considering pulling Connor Goldson out of the starting line-up The former Brighton defender has already played 25 games this season and with Gareth McAuley now available, the manager is considering giving him time to rest Rangers were guilty of some criminal defending in Moscow. Now Light Blues boss Steven Gerrard is considering a Con job in a bid to get his rearguard back to their best. Gerrard splashed out £3.5million on Connor Goldson to lead his new-look defence in the summer. He thinks the world of the ex-Brighton man — and his bizarre Spartak own goal hasn’t changed that. But, after playing 25 games, seven more than the last two seasons combined, Goldson has had an exhausting schedule. And with Gareth McAuley now available, Gerrard admits he will need to take him out of the firing line at some point. He said: “Connor is constantly in my face saying, ‘Don’t give me a rest, don’t give me a rest, don’t give me a rest’. “But there will be a time when I have got to help him. He won’t like that but it is my job. “Connor has played a lot of games but that’s the case for a lot of these players. This is the squad we have put together. “This is the reason the players have come to play as many games as they can — because they’ve been frustrated at other clubs or haven’t been able to get a breakthrough. “In terms of a lot of our players, all these experiences are new. Regular games, a European run, playing against individuals who are worth £20-25m. “It is all a new experience for them. But it’s fantastic for them as Rangers players and they should be really embracing this run. “I’ve mentioned the schedule so many times. It is what it is and we have to cope. “The challenge for me now is to try and get as much energy into the players physically and get them right mentally. “You try and get as big a squad as you can when you’re in this situation because you know it’s going to take its toll at some point. “There is no getting away from the fact the amount of games we have played is a lot for where we are. But it is what it is.” McAuley’s return to fitness is a boost for Gerrard as he looks to steady the defensive ship. The veteran Northern Irishman only made his debut in Moscow but is in line to play a bigger role going forward. At 38, McAuley can provide a calming influence — and Gerrard won’t hesitate to throw him in. He said: “Gareth is ready now. Obviously when he came in he had had a really big summer lay-off because he didn’t know where his future lay. “He went away with Northern Ireland to try to get some volume of work in, but came back with an injury which set him back. “But he has been on the training pitch now for close to a month and we have put some games in his legs behind closed doors. “I think he has played three 90 minutes now and another 45 on top of that. So he is available now. “We have four centre-halves and they all knew what we were looking for at the start of the season. “It is good to have Gareth available and I would have no problem putting him in now. “Gareth’s experience can be valuable in certain situations, for sure. We know his strengths, we realise where he is in his career. “He is a big Rangers fan who wanted this move. He realised it would be a squad player situation so he is professional and has been patient. “There will be times we need his experience and his know-how. “That might be from the beginning of a match or to see a game out, or against a certain opponent who might come and try to bombard us.” Gerrard got to bed at 4am as Rangers returned from Russia after the 4-3 defeat. The Ibrox boss savaged his side’s defending in Moscow and wants a big improvement against a physical Motherwell. He said: “What I said in the post-match conference is still my opinion. I’m really proud of the boys in terms of their effort and application. “I thought we attacked really well and looked dangerous throughout the game. “We did really well to score three and it should have been four. But defensively we need to learn and improve quickly. “We made individual mistakes which were punished. And that just smashes you in the face about the level of opponent we are playing. “It’s important we don’t have any hangover and try and approach Sunday as fresh as we can, because it’s an important three points for us. “You can cope with going into a game a little bit stiff or maybe with your energy levels a little bit off. “But if you are not right mentally then you will probably come unstuck. “Motherwell have had some good results against Rangers in recent years and I’ve analysed that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMeeseeks 374 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 我看不懂这个狗屎。大乔克知道。我们是人！ Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammer93 15,057 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 He needs a rest...a blind man can see his levels have dropped off from his 1st couple of months at the club Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMeeseeks 374 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 1 minute ago, hammer93 said: He needs a rest...a blind man can see his levels have dropped off from his 1st couple of months at the club McAuley/Katic for Sunday then? Can't say it fills you with much confidence, think I'd rather Worrall ahead of him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Ger_onimo 20,488 Posted November 10, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 10, 2018 3 hours ago, backup said: But, after playing 25 games, seven more than the last two seasons combined, Goldson has had an exhausting schedule. Came in to rant about rotating defenders, but that’s a crazy stat. Give the boy a rest. CoatbridgeBear, googglebot, Sweetheart and 5 others 8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post pcbear 10,924 Posted November 10, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 10, 2018 I was not too impressed with McAuleys last appearance, he will need to up his game. CoatbridgeBear, Geo17, Perth_Campsie_Ger and 2 others 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prso's headband 35,583 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 Probably makes sense to do it just now. After these two home games it’s Villarreal through to the tarriers in December so Gerrard needs to pick two and go with it. HG5 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEPPS BOY 74,208 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 He has two weeks off after today.. If any players are fetting rested it should be during the Europa games, after all, Gerrard did say the league is the priority.. WATPWATP 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
.Williamson. 82,685 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 1 hour ago, pcbear said: I was not too impressed with McAuleys last appearance, he will need to up his game. He had about 2 mins coming on for a corner billscott 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perth_Campsie_Ger 18,032 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 2 minutes ago, .Williamson. said: He had about 2 mins coming on for a corner I think he was taking the piss mate. You not had a coffee yet? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
.Williamson. 82,685 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 1 minute ago, Perth_Campsie_Ger said: I think he was taking the piss mate. You not had a coffee yet? It's a Saturday morning and I've only came back around after passing out at some stage a few hours ago. Sitting here trying to work out when it's most reasonable to go back on the beer again Perth_Campsie_Ger and cstamomusa 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perth_Campsie_Ger 18,032 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 3 minutes ago, .Williamson. said: It's a Saturday morning and I've only came back around after passing out at some stage a few hours ago. Sitting here trying to work out when it's most reasonable to go back on the beer again 9am .Williamson. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
.Williamson. 82,685 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 4 minutes ago, Perth_Campsie_Ger said: 9am Was thinking that She's started clearing the living room of the empties from last night. Going to casually make a walk towards the fridge here for a can and see how it pans out Billy1984 and Perth_Campsie_Ger 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
To Be A Ranger 4,032 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 Don't care who plays, just get the defence fixed. All this chopping and changing though is contributing to the poor performances Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courtyard Bear 41,357 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 Got to be Worral surely, don’t think you get on the pitch with a Zimmer frame. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy1984 6,314 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 35 minutes ago, .Williamson. said: Was thinking that She's started clearing the living room of the empties from last night. Going to casually make a walk towards the fridge here for a can and see how it pans out ?? how did it go? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
.Williamson. 82,685 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 1 minute ago, Billy1984 said: ?? how did it go? I've a beer and shes not said anything so hard to tell just now Billy1984 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy1984 6,314 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 Just now, .Williamson. said: I've a beer and shes not said anything so hard to tell just now Drink them quick, then when she says anything you can be 5 or 6 beers deep and won’t give a fuck anyway ? .Williamson., plumbGER and dougie76 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperLeeMcCulloch 2,330 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 He needs the rest but the last thing we need is wholesale changes to the backline, we need a settled back 4 after the international break or at least the centre pairing to be what we go with unless suspension/injury happens. BlueKnight87 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil1418 60 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 As I’ve said in another thread I can’t wait to see the big man in a Rangers jersey if he’s still got half of what he had in the EPL then he’ll do just fine here, nobody will push this lad around I can assure you of that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSM 20,892 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 He's only being asked to run about a park for 90 mins a couple of times a week ffs. Wish my work would give me random rest days.... CoatbridgeBear and ForeverAndEver 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ger_onimo 20,488 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 18 minutes ago, FSM said: He's only being asked to run about a park for 90 mins a couple of times a week ffs. Wish my work would give me random rest days.... He did have open heart surgery less than 2 years ago. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSM 20,892 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 1 hour ago, Ger_onimo said: He did have open heart surgery less than 2 years ago. I had an ingrown toenail removed less than 2 months ago mate, still make it to my work every day. 2nd Flute and Ger_onimo 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForeverAndEver 71,677 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 3 minutes ago, FSM said: I had an ingrown toenail removed less than 2 months ago mate, still make it to my work every day. Thoughts and prayers with you xxx Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ger_onimo 20,488 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 12 minutes ago, FSM said: I had an ingrown toenail removed less than 2 months ago mate, still make it to my work every day. You’re an inspiration to us all. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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