Connor Goldson names 2 Rangers sacrifices he’s made for career longevity as stalwart approaches major milestone

The defender knows it might be viewed as boring but he’s happy to sacrifice them for career longevity.

Connor Goldson has given up on Veganuary.

But the Rangers ace reckons ditching sweet treats and fast food is the quickest way to ensure he prolongs an Ibrox career that is rapidly approaching appearance No300. The big centre-back joined Gers in 2018 just 18 months after being rushed for emergency surgery on a heart defect.

The Englishman’s long-term future in the game were called into question after that shocking incident brought on by an inflated aorta valve. But in the five and a half years since, Goldson has been a virtual constant at Ibrox, defying the odds in his quest to go back to action. Even though he still needs to exercise self control and make sacrifices in terms of his food, way of life, and match preparation, Goldson, at 31, is still the most dependable employee he has ever had during his time in Glasgow.

And when the season is almost over, he believes that his “boring” strategy will bring some excitement in the form of a heaping helping of silverware. “I’ve always been pretty strict about my diet, stretching, and gym work,” the former Shrewsbury and Brighton player said.

“Your career is short in general so I want to go for as long as I can and provide a future for myself and my family. What do I do with my diet? I’ve tried going vegan in the past but I don’t do it anymore.

“It’s just boring. I don’t really eat takeaways, only on the odd occasion. I don’t snack, I don’t drink anything else other than water. It’s the small things, the one percents, I think that add up.

“I was quite lucky in that when I was younger I had good professionals around me, especially at Brighton. The captain there, a guy called Bruno, played until he was 38 or 39. His nutrition was amazing.

“Looking at that as a young player, I realised that was something to do myself if you want to play on into your older years. Yeah it’s boring but I think you have to do it if you want to carry on playing until your late 30s.

“I think that one percent matters. Even one takeout meal tonight won’t hurt you. However, if you continue doing it, it will eventually throughout your career and as you age.

Thus, I make an effort to achieve that. recuperation, dietary, and rest. As you age, each of them becomes more significant. Thankfully, I was able to apply those lessons when I was younger, and as I’ve become older, they have helped. Now, all I have to do is stick to those routines and be dull in order to play for as long as possible.

Gers appearance No1 was made against Macedonian outfit Shkupi after the boyhood Liverpool fan became Steven Gerrard’s first Ibrox signing.

As things stand, he’ll be due to reach his 300th when Hearts visit Govan next month. That’s dependent on Gers getting past Dumbarton in the Scottish Cup clash and current Light Blues boss Philippe Clement resisting the urge to rest his stoic stalwart.

The big Belgian can try but he’ll likely have a fight on his hands. “It’s special, it’s a huge football club,” said Goldson as he was informed of his impending milestone. “The ambition to win trophies is there every season, to compete at the highest level in Europe.

“I’ve participated in games that I never would have imagined participating. Now that I’m here, all I want to do is work as hard and achieve as much success as I can. Playing for this establishment can only make you proud.

“I believe it will be something to look back on with happy recollections when I’m older and my kids have grandchildren. It will be a significant accomplishment, and ideally there will be many more. It’s close; I didn’t realize I was on 282.

“It will be a good achievement. Since I came here all I have wanted to do is stay fit and play as many games as possible.

“I have been fortunate enough to do that. This season has been the same. I work hard every day to keep myself fit and in a good condition. I want to stay fit and available.

“Listen, I never doubted I could play that amount of games because I always felt really fit. I’ve said before that even before my operation I was never injured, I was always fit.

“I used to play a lot of games; in a season, I would play about sixty games at Shrewsbury. I have never had that doubt because I was always available at Brighton.

“I was fit for Brighton the entire season after my operation; obviously, I didn’t play as many games as I would have liked to, but I was always available. I’ve always had a natural sense of fitness, and I take good care of myself at this point in my career. I still want to play for a long time, and I put in a lot of effort every day to make sure I do.

Goldson finally completed the set of Scottish football’s prizes when he lifted the Viaplay Cup just before Christmas. The medal now sits alongside the trinkets he earned with Rangers’ 2021 title triumph and their Scottish Cup success the year after.

“I don’t think it’s enough for anyone here,” he remarked, though. Practically speaking, this club expects much more. More than what we’ve given this club in the last few years is a lot more.

“We need to put in a lot of effort every day, but it hasn’t been good enough.” It takes more than simply showing up to stadiums for the postseason and realizing that’s when the real job begins. It begins early in the season and lasts for a considerable amount of time. I believe you will eventually receive your benefits if you put in a lot of effort each and every day.

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