Connor Goldson Holds Steven Gerrard Responsible for His Rangers Move

According to a report by media outlet Glasgow Times, English footballer Connor Goldson, while speaking on Open Goal, has revealed that Liverpool and England's legendary midfielder Steven Gerrard was the one who convinced him to move to Rangers back in 2018.

The defender, currently playing for Cypriot First Division side Apollon Limassol, had joined the Light Blues in 2018 after three years at English club Brighton and Hove Albion. In the six years that he spent at Ibrox, the now 33-year-old appeared in 192 official league fixtures, scoring 15 goals in the process. With Rangers, Goldson won the 2020-21 Scottish Premiership, the 2021-22 Scottish Cup, and the 2023-24 Scottish League Cup. He was also part of the squad that finished as runners-up in the 2021-22 UEFA Europa League competition.

While speaking on Open Goal, Goldson said about his phone call with Gerrard that convinced him to join Rangers, “He was like, 'I want you to come. I want you to be one of the leaders of the group. I want you to play every game, and I'm going to build the team, the back line, around you.’” 

Gerrard, who, as revealed by Goldson during the conversation, happened to be the latter’s idol, was then the manager of the Teddy Bears, a role he held until 2021. He famously led the side to their first league title victory in ten years with an unbeaten run in the 2020-21 season.

Goldson also revealed during the conversation that although the legendary midfielder was supposed to meet him halfway between Brighton and Glasgow, he nevertheless drove all the way to Brighton upon hearing about the pregnancy of the defender’s wife. As Glasgow Times wrote in their report, “Including her in their conversation, the couple was quickly convinced of the move.”

It is worth noting that initially, Goldson had no interest in leaving England for Scotland, even after learning that Steven Gerrard was interested in securing his services. He attributes his decision to move to the club, as Glasgow Times noted, “...persuasive powers of Liverpool legend Gerrard, who expressed his desire to build a team around Goldson.”

A graduate of the Shrewsbury Town academy, the defender played 106 official league fixtures for the senior squad of the club from 2010-2015 before moving to Brighton and Hove Albion, where he played a further 32 league games. 

After his tenure at Rangers ended in 2024, Goldson moved to Cyprus to play for Aris Limassol for two seasons, and he is currently under contract with Apollon Limassol.