The Rangers can finally replace Goldson by signing a “class” star

Rangers‘ poor away form continues.

On Thursday, the Light Blues were held to a 1-1 draw by Dundee at Dens Park, conceding a goal inside six minutes, before Václav Černý slotted home an equalizer on the half-hour mark, but, despite 77% possession, they couldn’t find that all-important second, with which the night actually ends lower xG than Dee: 1.01 to 0.73.

As a result, Philippe ClementThe team is now behind by a whopping 15 points Scottish Premiership leaders Celticwithout a win in four away games. This is not a new trend, given that the Gers have won just three of their 11 away league games this season, scoring a measly 13 goals in those games, three of which came at Easter Road on Sunday – and are still without a win Hibs in Edinburgh.

With the key European league fortifications against Manchester United and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise just around the corner, fans are calling for signings, and the pressure is mounting on both Clement and newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Patrick Stewart.

Rangers are looking for defensive reinforcements

According to the report of daily recorddefender Ryan Porteous – who was connected with the Gers as early as 2023 – is “unhappy” at Watfordwhile Hibs watcher added that Hull City are also interested in his services.

Craig Moore, who made 187 performances for Rangers in two spells, hinted at his former club to address the situation, saying Go Radio Football show earlier this week that Porteous “will be one of several options that I’m pretty sure Rangers will be looking at”, adding that he is “certainly one to consider”.

The defender joined Hibernian as a 13-year-old, making 157 performances for the Hibees first team, before being sold to Watford for a reported £500,000 in January 2023.

During his time at Vicarage Road, Porteous was praised by manager Tom Cleverley as one of the club’s “real class leaders in the locker room“, although he has endured sticky weather of late.

Now 25 years old, he has played 80 times for the Hornets, although he remained on the bench for their last EFL Championship fixture against Sheffield Unitedafter being pinned at halftime on Cardiff a week earlier.

Meanwhile, he is not represented for Scotland since he was fired during Euro 2024 opener against Germanyin a game which was humiliatingly beaten 5-1 by Scotland, so Porteous could look for a move as he looks for regular playing time at club level to work his way back into Steve Clarke’s plans.

This potential move to Glasgow could be controversial, given that Porteous is not particularly popular with the Rangers support.

After Hibs beat Gers 3-1 in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden in November 2021, the defender mischievously said “do we look happy? Then don’t ask stupid questions”, parodying the interview he gave then Rangers boss Steven Gerrard, also to journalist Emma Dodds, a month earlier, just days before he jumped ship Aston Villa.

However, this would all be water under the bridge if he had arrived and helped turn Rangers’ form around.

How Ryan Porteous would improve Rangers

Right now, the Rangers are facing a defensive injury crisis.

Captain James TavernierDujon Sterling, John Souttar, Leon Balogun and Neraysho Kasanwirjo all stayed at Dens Park in midweek, meaning 20-year-old Clinton Nsiala was given his senior debut, with writer Michael McEwan on Twitterlightly poking fun at him, comparing him to “Prime Franco Baresi”.

The former AC Milan starlet was certainly solid, if not unspectacular, in her first team, making six spaces and producing four blockswith perhaps the hope that he can nail the starting berth moving forward. However, the Light Blues need immediate solutions, not just long-term potential.

Indeed, Rangers have yet to be properly replaced Connor Goldsonwhich unceremoniously left last summer for Aris Limassol, after he made 309 occurrences for the Ibrox side.

So let’s see how Porteous and Goldson compare?

As noted in the table, Porteous is much more of an all-around defender than Goldson, whose numbers over the last two seasons with the Rangers aren’t really all that outstanding.

On the other hand, Porteous’ stats are impressive, meaning he appears to be exactly what the Gers are looking for, so should he become available this month, the Glasgow-based side should make a go of it.

The ‘leader’ – as Cleverley hinted at – the renegade Watford man could more than adequately replace Goldson, if talks of a move to Ibrox become more concrete.