Glasgow Rangers’ supporters have seen plenty of sublime strikers perform at Ibrox over the years.
Names such as Ally McCoist, Mark Hateley, Michael Mols and Kris Boyd roll off the tongue and how the new manager would love a goalscorer in this mould for next season at Rangers. The foundation of title wins and European runs, however, comes from an excellent defence, in particular a solid centre-back.
Terry Butcher arrived in Glasgow from England, and immediately became one of the most influential defenders in the club’s history. Richard Gough was next to follow, and he captained the Gers to nine league titles in a row at Ibrox between 1989 and 1997.
Following Gough’s departure, the likes of Lorenzo Amoruso, Craig Moore and Carlos Cueller emerged to continue the club’s ascent, with the latter helping Rangers reach the 2008 UEFA Cup final.
Who can forget David Weir? The former Everton defender was an absolute rock, despite playing until he was 41.
It took a while for the Light Blues to eventually replace Weir at the heart of the defence, but when Connor Goldson arrived in Glasgow during the summer of 2018, he looked every inch the heir to the Scot.
Conor Goldson’s Rangers statistics
Steven Gerrard’s rebuilding job that summer required a centre-back who could cope with the physicality of Scottish football.
Goldson, having played over 100 matches for Brighton and Shrewsbury down south, looked like the perfect signing.
Despite the Light Blues failing to win a trophy during Gerrard’s first two seasons at the club, progress was clear, and this stemmed from an improved defence led by Goldson.
Indeed, he missed just six and two games during those two seasons. Rarely injured and consistently excellent, the Englishman was on the cusp of helping the Gers to one of their finest seasons on record.
Throughout the 2020/21 season, Rangers conceded only 13 Premiership goals, breaking the British record of 15 set by Chelsea 16 years before.
Goldson and Filip Helander were a commanding partnership at the back. The former Brighton star won an impressive 6.6 total duels per game that term – a success rate of 71% – while being dribbled past only 0.2 times per game and making 1.3 tackles each match.
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
2023/24
48
0
3
2022/23
38
3
3
2021/22
61
4
4
2020/21
56
8
3
2019/20
52
4
2
2018/19
54
4
0
This was Goldson at his peak, no doubt about that. He was excellent during the club’s run to the final of the Europa League in 2022, but mistakes began creeping in steadily over the next couple of years.
His lack of pace was a worry, and he was regularly beaten in foot races against faster opponents, notably against Bojan Miovski, who got the better of the defender to open the scoring for Aberdeen in a 1-1 draw back in 2023.
He left last summer, joining Cypriot side Aris Limassol. He was awarded the best defender of the season and perhaps the club sold him prematurely?
It looks as though the Light Blues are showing interest in signing a centre-back from the Premier League. Could Cameron Burgess turn into Goldson 2.0?
Rangers eye move for Premier League defender
Leon Balogun looks set to leave Ibrox and with Rafael Fernandes returning to his parent club, the only centre-backs remaining will be John Souttar, Robin Propper, Clinton Nsiala and Leon King.
With questions over Propper and Nsiala’s lack of experience, it is evident the club need to bring in a solid, reliable, defender this summer.
Rangers Review journalist Joshua Barrie gave the fans some transfer news when he took to X recently, saying: “Rangers are interested in Ipswich defender Cameron Burgess as they seek to bolster their defence ahead of the new season.
“29-yo has played 18 times in the Premier League this season.”
Burgess may be approaching 30, but with Premier League experience under his belt and the physicality to succeed in Scottish football, it could be a smart move to bring the £2m-rated star north of the border.
If he impresses early on, he could be the natural successor to Goldson at Ibrox. That much is certain.
Why Rangers must sign Cameron Burgess
Scottish scout and analyst, Kai Watson, profiled the centre-back amid rumors that Rangers are keen on signing him.
He said: “Cameron Burgess may not be the most exciting signing on paper but he’ll bring necessary experience to the back, particularly if Balogun departs.
“He’s 6’4, left sided, an Australian international and uses the ball well.”
Across his 18 Premier League appearances for Ipswich Town this term, Burgess has won 3.6 total duels per game – a success rate of 68% – and made 0.9 tackles and 6.9 clearances per game in the top flight.
Kieran McKenna, Burgess’ manager at Ipswich, hailed the defender as “excellent” back in 2022 and there is no doubt he would be a reliable option for the new manager to call upon next term, given his dominant duel success rate that compares well to Goldson’s aforementioned form at Ibrox.
While his passing statistics may not be out of this world, mainly due to Ipswich not having much of the ball during games, he makes up for it by impressing across other metrics.
Indeed, when compared to fellow defenders in the English top flight, the Australian ranks in the top 2% for clearances (7.48), in the top 21% for aerials won (2.57), and in the top 5% for percentage of dribblers tackled (81.8%) per 90 this season.
Although bringing the ball out from the back is important, having a player who is able to get the better of the opposition forwards – both in the air and on the ground – is something that the Gers have struggled with this season.
Propper often struggles with the physicality of strikers from clubs lower down the league table, even though his passing is fairly reliable (88% pass success rate).
Burgess might not be a flashy new signing that will get supporters out of their seats at Ibrox next season. What he will offer is a solidity at the heart of the defence.
Following a campaign of disarray, this is exactly what is required for 2025/26.
Dream for Diomande: Rangers could land one of "Brazil's best" for £4m
Rangers are looking to sign a few players this summer
ByRoss KilvingtonMay 17, 2025
