Connor Goldson
Goldson playing for Rangers in 2018
Personal information
Full name Connor Lambert Goldson[1]
Date of birth (1992-12-18) 18 December 1992 (age 31)[2]
Place of birth Wolverhampton, England
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[3]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Rangers
Number 6
Youth career
Shrewsbury Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2015 Shrewsbury Town 106 (8)
2013–2014 → Cheltenham Town (loan) 4 (0)
2015–2018 Brighton & Hove Albion 32 (2)
2018– Rangers 188 (15)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:06, 14 March 2024 (UTC)

Connor Lambert Goldson (born 18 December 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays for Scottish Premiership club Rangers. His preferred position is at centre-back, although he has also been utilised at right-back,[4] and as a central midfielder.[5][6]

He began his career at Shrewsbury Town, whom he represented in 120 competitive matches, scoring eight goals, seven coming in one season, and also spending time on loan at Cheltenham Town. In 2015, after a promotion-winning season for Shrewsbury, he signed for Brighton & Hove Albion. His career was interrupted in 2017, when a screening found that Goldson had a defect in his heart. He joined Rangers in 2018.

Career

Shrewsbury Town

Born in Wolverhampton, West Midlands,[7][8] Goldson attended Thomas Telford School[9] and was awarded his first professional contract midway through his youth scholarship with Shrewsbury Town in May 2010.[10] He made his debut during a 5–1 away win at Lincoln City on 8 February 2011, coming on as a 69th-minute substitute for Jermaine Grandison.[11] With captain Ian Sharps suspended,[9] he made his full debut on 1 March, in a 3–0 home defeat to Bury,[12] and featured sporadically the following season as Shrewsbury won promotion to League One.[citation needed]

He enjoyed an extended run at the end of the 2012–13 season, featuring in nine consecutive matches and scoring his first senior goal on the last day of the season against Portsmouth for a 3–2 home win.[13] Having helped Shrewsbury secure safety in their first season in League One, Goldson signed a contract extension on 21 June 2013.[14]

On 28 November 2013, Goldson joined Cheltenham Town on loan initially until 4 January 2014.[15][16] He made his Cheltenham debut as an added-time substitute for David Noble in a 1–0 away win against Morecambe on 7 December.[17] Although his loan was later being extended by a further month,[18] Goldson was recalled by his parent club on 9 January 2014 due to an injury to fellow defender Darren Jones.[19] Following his recall, Goldson was ever-present under caretaker manager Michael Jackson, although he was unable to stop Shrewsbury suffering relegation back to League Two. Despite receiving offers from Premier League clubs, Goldson signed a new two-year contract extension on 4 July 2014, having been convinced to stay by new manager Micky Mellon.[20]

He captained Shrewsbury Town for a whole match for the first time on 12 August 2014, in a League Cup first round victory over Championship club Blackpool, in the absence of regular skipper Liam Lawrence from the starting eleven.[21] Goldson made his 100th Football League appearance for Shrewsbury in a home match against Dagenham & Redbridge on 3 April 2015, scoring both goals in a 2–0 win.[22]

After securing promotion back to League One with a 1–0 victory over former loan club Cheltenham Town on 25 April, it was announced the following day that Goldson had been awarded a place on the PFA League Two Team of the Year for 2014–15, along with teammate Ryan Woods.[23] At the conclusion of the season, he also won both the supporters' Player of the season and the Players' player of the season at the club's annual awards night for 2014–15.[24]

Goldson made his last appearance for Shrewsbury in a 1–1 away match at Bradford City on 15 August 2015,[25] before declaring himself unfit prior to the following home match against Chesterfield three days later.[26]

Brighton & Hove Albion

Goldson joined Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-year deal on 19 August 2015.[27] He was first included in a Seagulls squad a month later, as an unused substitute in a goalless Championship draw at his hometown club Wolverhampton Wanderers, a result which kept his team at the top of the table.[28]

After Brighton's 2–2 draw at Derby County on 12 December, Goldson alleged racial abuse by a home fan at Pride Park, which was investigated by the police.[29] A week later, he made his Seagulls debut, replacing the injured Uwe Hünemeier for the final half-hour of a 3–0 home loss to Middlesbrough.[30] His first start came on 29 December, in place of the injured Gordon Greer for a 1–0 loss to Ipswich Town at the Falmer Stadium.[31][32] Three days later, when Brighton hosted Wolverhampton, Goldson scored an own goal from Jordan Graham's cross in the 32nd minute, the only goal of the game.[33]

On 4 April 2016, Goldson scored his first goal for Brighton, equalising as they came from behind to win 2–1 at Birmingham City.[34] The Seagulls came third and qualified for the play-offs; Goldson was one of four of their players who went off injured in their 2–0 loss at Sheffield Wednesday in the semi-final first leg.[35]

In February 2017, Goldson was discovered to have a heart defect in a screening, and was sidelined for the remainder of the season to have preventative surgery.[36] He played his first competitive game following his return from successful surgery in December 2017, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 home win against Watford on his Premier League debut.[37] Goldson was on the fringes of Brighton's team in 2017–18, totalling only eight appearances, but scored in their 3–1 home win over Coventry City in the FA Cup fifth round on 17 February 2018.[38]

Rangers

On 13 June 2018, Goldson signed for Scottish Premiership club Rangers on a four-year deal, becoming Steven Gerrard's sixth summer signing.[39] He made his competitive debut for Rangers on 12 July in a 2–0 2018–19 UEFA Europa League qualifier home win against Macedonian First Football League team FK Shkupi in what was Gerrard's first competitive fixture as manager.[40] Goldson captained Rangers on 12 August in their 2–0 win over St. Mirren at Ibrox, as regular skipper James Tavernier was on the substitutes' bench. He headed his first goal for the club as they won with ten men, and he was praised by Gerrard after the match.[41] On 17 October 2020, he scored a double in a 2–0 away win against Celtic in the Old Firm.[42] He signed a four-year contract extension on 1 June 2022.[43]

In season 2020-2021 Goldson played in every competitive match Rangers played. He played in 56 competitive matches in a season in which Rangers won their first Premiership title in a decade. This was Rangers 55th top division title. In winning this title, Rangers denied Celtic a record breaking 10th consecutive championship.

Goldson played in the Europa League Final of 2021-22 when Rangers lost on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt.[44]

Career statistics

As of match played 14 March 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Shrewsbury Town 2010–11[45] League Two 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
2011–12[46] League Two 4 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 7 0
2012–13[47] League One 17 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 1
2013–14[48] League One 36 0 1 0 1 0 1[c] 0 39 0
2014–15[49] League Two 44 7 3 0 4 0 0 0 51 7
2015–16[50] League One 2 0 — 1 0 — 3 0
Total 106 8 5 0 8 0 1 0 120 8
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2013–14[48] League Two 4 0 — — — 4 0
Brighton & Hove Albion 2015–16[50] Championship 24 2 1 0 — 1[d] 0 26 2
2016–17[51] Championship 5 0 2 0 1 0 — 8 0
2017–18[52] Premier League 3 0 3 1 2 0 — 8 1
Total 32 2 6 1 3 0 1 0 42 3
Brighton & Hove Albion U23 2016–17[51] — — — 2[e] 0 2 0
Rangers 2018–19[53] Scottish Premiership 34 3 4 0 2 0 14[f] 1 54 4
2019–20[54] Scottish Premiership 29 3 2 0 3 0 18[f] 1 52 4
2020–21[55] Scottish Premiership 38 4 3 0 2 1 13[f] 3 56 8
2021–22[56] Scottish Premiership 36 3 4 1 3 0 18[g] 0 61 4
2022–23[57] Scottish Premiership 25 2 3 1 2 0 8[h] 0 38 3
2023–24[58] Scottish Premiership 26 0 3 0 4 0 11[i] 0 44 0
Total 188 15 19 2 16 1 82 5 305 23
Career total 320 25 30 3 26 1 86 5 473 34
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup
  2. ^ Include League/EFL Cup and Scottish League Cup
  3. ^ Appearance in Football League Trophy
  4. ^ Appearance in Championship play-offs
  5. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy
  6. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  7. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League; 16 appearances in UEFA Europa League
  8. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  9. ^ Four appearances in UEFA Champions League; 4 appearances in UEFA Europa League

Honours

Shrewsbury Town

Brighton & Hove Albion

Rangers

Individual

References

  1. ^ Brown, Tony; Joyce, Michael; Longbottom, David, eds. (2013). English National Football Archive Yearbook 2013. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 127. ISBN 978-1-905891-62-7.
  2. ^ "Conor Goldson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  3. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline Publishing Group. p. 529. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  4. ^ "Goldson happy to player anywhere in Shrewsbury Town's defence". Shropshir Star. 14 December 2012. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  5. ^ "reserves: Town 1 Walsall 3". Shrewsweb. 15 October 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  6. ^ "Connor Goldson ready to fill Shrewsbury Town's midfield void". Shropshire Star. 17 October 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  7. ^ "Wolverhampton's Connor Goldson fighting for his place at Shrewsbury Town". Express & Star. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  8. ^ "Town's Connor Goldson set for Brighton". Shropshire Star. 19 August 2015. Archived from the original on 24 October 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  9. ^ a b "Young Goldson is hungry for more". Shrewsbury Chronicle. 3 March 2011. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  10. ^ "Teenager Tom Bradshaw signs pro for Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 12 May 2010. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  11. ^ "Lincoln 1–5 Shrewsbury" BBC Sport. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  12. ^ "Shrewsbury 0–3 Bury" BBC Sport. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  13. ^ "Shrewsbury 3 Portsmouth 2" BBC Sport. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2013
  14. ^ "Taylor and Goldson sign". Shrewsweb. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  15. ^ "Goldson loaned to Cheltenham". Shrewsweb. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  16. ^ Brown, James (28 November 2013). "Cheltenham sign Connor Goldson". Cheltenham Town F.C. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  17. ^ "Morecambe 0–1 Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. 7 December 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  18. ^ "Cheltenham Town: Shrewsbury's Connor Goldson extends stay". BBC Sport. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  19. ^ "Goldson returns as Wroe departs". Shrewsweb. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  20. ^ "Connor Goldson signs". Shrewsweb. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.[permanent dead link]
  21. ^ "Connor Goldson captaincy praised by Mellon". BBC Sport. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  22. ^ "Micky Mellon's delight at Connor Goldson's goals". Shropshire Star. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  23. ^ a b "League Two Team of the Year: Matt Grimes in after Exeter stint". BBC Sport. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  24. ^ "Connor Goldson top man at Town's awards". Shropshire Star. 4 May 2015. Archived from the original on 5 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  25. ^ "Bradford City 1–1 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  26. ^ "Town stay quiet on Goldson's QPR link". Shropshire Star. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  27. ^ "Shrewsbury Town defender Connor Goldson moves to Brighton & Hove Albion". Shrewsweb. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  28. ^ "Wolves 0–0 Brighton". BBC Sport. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  29. ^ "Connor Goldson: Brighton defender allegedly racially abused". BBC Sport. 13 December 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  30. ^ Cartwright, Phil (19 December 2015). "Brighton 0–3 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  31. ^ Owen, Brian (29 December 2015). "Andrew Crofts makes midfield comeback as Brighton and Hove Albion chase home win". The Argus. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  32. ^ Malin, Ian (29 December 2015). "Ipswich's Daryl Murphy condemns Brighton to second defeat of season". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  33. ^ "Brighton 0–1 Wolves". BBC Sport. 1 January 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  34. ^ "Birmingham City 1–2 Brighton & Hove Albion". BBC Sport. 5 April 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  35. ^ Cartwright, Phil (13 May 2016). "Sheffield Wednesday 2–0 Brighton & Hove Albion". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  36. ^ "Connor Goldson: Brighton defender sidelined with heart issue". BBC Sport. 4 February 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  37. ^ "Brighton & Hove Albion 1–0 Watford". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  38. ^ Walker-Roberts, James (17 February 2018). "Brighton 3–1 Coventry: Jurgen Locadia and Leonardo Ulloa score for Seagulls in comfortable win". Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  39. ^ "Connor Goldson: Rangers sign defender from Brighton". BBC Sport. 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  40. ^ "Rangers 2–0 FK Shkupi". BBC Sport. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  41. ^ "Rangers boss Steven Gerrard praises 'leader' Connor Goldson after St Mirren win". BBC Sport. 12 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  42. ^ "Rangers' Connor Goldson grabs double in derby victory over Celtic". The Guardian. 17 October 2020.
  43. ^ "Connor Goldson: Rangers defender signs new four-year contract at Ibrox". BBC Sport. 1 June 2022.
  44. ^ "rangers v frankfurt 2021-2022 - Google Search". google.com. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  45. ^ "Games played by Connor Goldson in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  46. ^ "Games played by Connor Goldson in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  47. ^ "Games played by Connor Goldson in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  48. ^ a b "Games played by Connor Goldson in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  49. ^ "Games played by Connor Goldson in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  50. ^ a b "Games played by Connor Goldson in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  51. ^ a b "Games played by Connor Goldson in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  52. ^ "Games played by Connor Goldson in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  53. ^ "Games played by Connor Goldson in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  54. ^ "Games played by Connor Goldson in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  55. ^ "Games played by Connor Goldson in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  56. ^ "Games played by Connor Goldson in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  57. ^ "Games played by Connor Goldson in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  58. ^ "Games played by Connor Goldson in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  59. ^ Anderson, John, ed. (2015). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2015–2016. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 326–327. ISBN 978-1-4722-2416-3.
  60. ^ Anderson, John, ed. (2017). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2017–2018. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 82–83. ISBN 978-1-4722-3397-4.
  61. ^ "Rangers top-flight champions for first time since 2011 after Celtic drop points". BBC Sport. 7 March 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  62. ^ "Rangers 2-0 Hearts". BBC Sport. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  63. ^ "Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen". BBC. 17 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  64. ^ "Fraser Forster the hero as 10-man Celtic earn final victory over Rangers". The Guardian. 8 December 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  65. ^ Moffat, Colin (26 February 2023). "Kyogo strikes twice as Celtic beat Rangers in final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  66. ^ "Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers". BBC Sport. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  67. ^ Pirie, Mark (17 May 2021). "Rangers dominate the PFA Premiership Team of the Year but Celtic trio make the grade". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Connor Goldson.
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Rangers F.C. – current squad
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