Noel Whelan has expressed his worry as Glasgow Rangers defender Connor Goldson appears to be no closer to signing a new contract at Ibrox.

The Lowdown: Goldson future in doubt

Goldson's future at Ibrox is certainly up in the air. The 28-year-old has just one year left on his contract (Transfermarkt), and has been the subject of interest from West Ham as the 55-time Scottish champions aim to tie him down to a new three-year deal.

More recently, news has emerged that the Gers would rather let him leave on a free next season than sell him for a reduced fee this summer (The Athletic).

The Latest: Whelan worried

Speaking to Football Insider, Noel Whelan has shared his fears over Goldson's future. He said:

"It is a big worry, absolutely.

"He was so important to them last season. We all know what a good player he is and he is the one constant in that backline.

"I’m sure there is a huge amount of respect between him and Steven Gerrard.

"Negotiations over new contracts are never as easy as you think. Rangers will have a finite amount of money that they can pay in wages but talks will be ongoing.

"To be honest, I can see him signing a new deal. He is at a club that is going in a great direction. He has the Champions League to look forward to this year."

The Verdict: Biggest deal

Few Rangers fans will be unaware of the importance Goldson carries in Gerrard's starting line-up. Last season, he played every single minute of every single game for the the Gers in four competitions, helping them win the Premiership for the first time in 10 years.

The mere 13 goals Rangers conceded in the league (thefishy.co.uk) shows how important their defence was, and Goldson was the key element of that. Quite frankly, the £3m they paid for his signature in 2018 (Sky Sports) has proven to be a bargain.

While Gerrard will be looking to add new players to his squad, his biggest priority this summer should be signing Goldson to a new deal. The departure of the former Brighton man would leave a big hole in the back four, whether it be this summer or next.

In other news, this man suggests his time at Rangers held him back.