Former Rangers and Sunderland striker Kevin Kyle feels Gers defender Connor Goldson is very lucky to have escaped criticism despite putting in some poor performances this season.

Nikola Katic received the bulk of the negative comments following his awful display versus St Johnstone at the weekend, but Kyle feels his centre-back partner was equally culpable for the opening goal at McDiarmid Park:

“I’ve been critical of the Rangers defence before. See Goldson, I think he gets away with murder. He plays every single week and he seems to hide away from the negativity. He never gets it [criticism].”

“It’s always Katic or Barisic or Andy Halliday who has been a makeshift. Goldson never gets it. If you look at St Johnstone’s goal, Goldson’s in no man’s land. He likes to sit back away from the game so he can see it all and give himself a chance… He was off his man, so he’s got to be more of a leader and I don’t think he is.”

It is important to remind fans that Rangers have conceded just 18 goals in 27 league games this season. Before the match on Sunday, the Light Blues had the best defensive record in the whole league.

Still, recent displays have merited criticism, especially in both the draw against St Johnstone and in the 3-2 win over Braga last week. If they are to progress to the last 16 of the Europa League in Portugal this evening, they are going to have to defend a lot better than they have been in recent matches, and Goldson, in particular, will have to step up to the plate.