NO-one has to tell Connor Goldson about the totemic importance for Rangers of trying to prevent Celtic winning nine, or even ten, top-flight titles in a row, writes Stewart Fisher. After all, that was something his then Brighton team-mate and diehard Ibrox fan Jamie Murphy told him all about long before the pair ended up in Glasgow. But plenty do anyway.
“Jamie used to speak about Rangers a lot and I heard all about it then,” said Goldson. “That was before I even came here, probably two or three years ago. You do get reminded all the time about it by fans and players here who are Rangers through and through. We all know what is ahead of us and we are excited about the season ahead.
“Do I think we have the characters to handle that pressure? I’ve never looked around this dressing room and thought the characters are not there. Maybe last year we lacked a bit of depth in the squad and a little bit of consistency over a tough season of 60 games. But the manager has brought in new faces this summer ready for first team football and to make an impact at this club. Hopefully we are ready to be a consistent team this year.”
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The level of football at Brighton was every bit as high, but Goldson admitted last night that he struggled at times to cope with the all-or-nothing mentality at a club like Rangers. Spending time with his 14-month old son Caleb has helped keep things in perspective.
“Having a season under my belt can only help me,” said Goldson, who finds serious competition for a first team place in the form of Filip Helander, Nikola Katic and George Edmondson. “Last season was good for me personally, playing in 54 games. At times it was tough physically and mentally. Sometimes I let myself get too drawn in after defeats or draws which I knew had hurt our chances. I did let it affect me. But I’m a season down the road and I know what’s in store for the new season.
“After a game I’d just think about it too much. It hit me very quickly that at this club losing or drawing a game feels like the end of the world, in a way it never has before. I’d take it with me for the next few days. Now, while it hurts at the time and I’m a very bad loser, games come quickly and you’ve got to let things go and move on as quickly as you can. I’m going home to a little boy who’s running around the house causing carnage. That takes your mind off football. He’ll always come up and smile and give you a kiss.”
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