Pundit suggests Rangers have made ‘ambitious’ transfer promise to Connor Goldson
Noel Whelan has suggested Connor Goldson may have committed to a new Rangers contract after hearing the club’s “ambitious” plans for this summer and beyond.
The former Aberdeen hitman, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed Giovanni van Bronckhorst will have encouraged the 29-year-old by promising new signings during negotiations.
As confirmed on Wednesday (1 June), Goldson has penned a new four-year deal at Ibrox.
He was going to be out of contract this summer.
Whelan insisted Van Bronckhorst must have got Goldson “excited again” with his plans for the club.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “He kept everybody waiting, didn’t he? Everybody was thinking that it was never going to happen, him staying at Rangers, and that he was destined to leave.
“I think the good run in Europe, the end of the season, winning the trophy, all these little things add to a player’s mindset of wanting to be at a football club. I think he’s seen the progression this year and the fact that they can compete in Europe.
“That’s a big difference to a player when he comes down to the contract and needing to sign another contract. You want to see where the club is going. Financially, it’s a lot better off because of the run in Europe.
“That will be spent and I think you’ve got to have some kind of ambition at the football club to keep players like him there. I think Van Bronckhorst has obviously said the right things and encouraged him that Rangers aren’t just sitting still.
“This is where you convince Goldson that other players are going to come in. Fresh faces are going to come in.
“(Van Brockhorst will say) We’re looking to get to another European final, we’re looking to bring the Premiership back to Rangers next season.
“All these little bits are enough for a player to get your teeth into and feel excited again about the new season coming up.
“He obviously seemed very unsure, not signing, leaving it to the last minute. Sometimes that happens with players. You can sometimes feel like you need to change during the season. Maybe when things aren’t going too well for you and you’re not playing at the maximum capability.
“You do start doubting yourself. do I need a fresh challenge? Do I need a different club? Do I need a change the scenery now, in my career?
“Yes, there was disappointment in not winning but I think it was still a very strong season for Rangers. I think that was enough there for a lot of the players to realise that this club isn’t sleeping. It’s just waking up.”
In other news, Allan McGregor’s pal issues verdict on Rangers signing ‘top-class goalkeeper’.