'Very Instrumental' - Pundit view: Expensive wanted Rangers ace may be ready to leave Ibrox

Birmingham City will see Connor Goldson’s experience as “very instrumental” in their promotion bid as they look to sign him from Rangers, according to Carlton Palmer.

The pundit told Football League World on 2 July that the Ibrox centre-back could be amenable to a move back to England, where former Celtic assistant Chris Davies is targeting him according to the Scottish Sun on 30 June.

Relegated to League One in England Davies is tasked with engineering an immediate return to the Championship next term and Palmer feels that with Goldson, 31, having fallen out of favour last term he could be ready to take up the opportunity.

He said: “Birmingham City will be intent on trying to get back to the Championship at the first attempt, and they see the experience of Connor as being very instrumental in that.

“He is one of the biggest earners at Glasgow Rangers, and he was a mainstay under Steven Gerrard, but recently he hasn’t been in favour with the manager, and was left out of the side towards the end of the season.

“He could be open to offers, and ex-Celtic boss Chris Davies – who is now manager of Birmingham City – is looking at bringing him in.”

Philippe Clement dropped Rangers defender last season

It is easier said than done to jettison a senior player who is widely seen as a leader in the dressing room but in terms of on-pitch performances over the past year it wouldn’t be a huge shock if Goldson was allowed to leave.

The de facto number one centre-back for the past few seasons he was often surpassed by John Souttar last term and eventually lost his place to Leon Balogun late in the season before injury ended his campaign.

Philippe Clement is attempting to usher in a new era at Ibrox this summer and has already seen the likes of Ryan Jack, John Lundstram and Borna Barisic, even if he didn’t want all to go.

If the money is right then there is plenty of reason to consider a Goldson sale, with the likes of Jack Butland and Balogun still around to provide leadership behind the scenes, and the expected arrival of Kenny McLean [Rangers Review, 1 July] likely to add to that.

Goldson, much like captain James Tavenier, has often been a lightning rod for criticism in hard times, and quite possibly unfairly.

Both have been linked to a Saudi Pro League move this summer to join up with Steven Gerrard [Daily Record, 24 April], but an English transfer might be preferable for the former Brighton defender.

It will take Birmingham coming up with the right offer, which is surely harder in the third tier than the second, but this summer could be the right time to take the money and bring someone new in.

In other Rangers news, Lawrence Shankland is ready to jump at the chance to join the Light Blues.

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