Keith Jackson thinks Philippe Clement was involved in Connor Goldson’s summer departure from the Rangers.
For about £1.4 million, the defender was sold to Aris Limassol [The Rangers Review], and Robin Propper was brought in to cover for the Englishman.
In an interview with the Daily Record over the weekend [November 17], Goldson implied that someone behind the scenes at Ibrox, not Clement, was the reason for his departure.
Journalist Jackson, however, stated during an interview with the Daily Record’s Hotline Live on November 17: “I’m curious about his statement that Clement didn’t make the decision [to let him go].”
“Clement was going to change the leadership group, according to the information we were receiving before the end of last season,” he stated.
That gives me the impression that Clement did make that choice. Whether or not he came forward and informed Connor Goldson that it was his choice is a different matter.
“As far as I can tell, Philippe Clement had made it apparent to the guys on the recruitment side that he wanted a new leadership group, so I fully expected Connor Goldson to leave as the summer approached.”
Was it the right move for the Rangers to let Connor Goldson go?
Given Goldson’s influence on the team throughout his six-year tenure, the sale raised a lot of concerns among Rangers supporters.
Even though he didn’t have the best season in 2023–2024, he still seems like he could have done better.
This season, the Gers’ defence has once again been a source of concern because of James Tavernier and Robin Propper’s subpar play.
Goldson was replaced by the latter of the two, probably because Clement thought the Dutchman would take over as leader when the Englishman left.
Sadly, that hasn’t been the case at all. All you need to know about the success of his transfer is that Leon Balogun is now surpassing the centre-back for a first-team berth.
Of course, these are just ifs, buts, and maybes, but the Gers’ season might have turned out differently if Goldson had remained at Ibrox.
