Rangers have been dealt a 'massive blow' with the news that Connor Goldson is intent on returning to English football. 

That's according to the former Leeds United forward Noel Whelan, who was speaking to Football Insider.

The lowdown

The publication reported last Thursday that, as per information from Rangers sources, Goldson had rejected the offer of a contract extension at Ibrox.

The 28-year-old, formerly of Brighton and Hove Albion, wants to test himself in the Premier League once again. In recent months, hopes that he will remain in Glasgow have 'evaporated'.

Goldson's £27,000-per-week deal - the second biggest at the club - is due to expire at the end of the current campaign. That means January could be their last opportunity to cash in.

The latest

Whelan reckons Steven Gerrard's move to Aston Villa marked the point of no return for Goldson.

And he worries that they'll find it 'hard to replace' such a key figure.

"I think it was a big blow that he had such a good relationship with Steven Gerrard," he said. "I think that was probably a turning point as well.

"It's been ongoing. You would think that after winning the Premiership and their run in Europe they would have nailed him down, if he wanted to stay on a new contract, before now.

"It seems like he had it in his head and in his heart that he kind of wanted to leave in the first place.

"So yeah, it's a massive blow because he's been a big fixture at the heart of the defence for Rangers. He'll be hard to replace."

The verdict

Even amidst the uncertainty over his future, Goldson has started all but one SPFL game for Rangers this season. His average WhoScored rating of 7.07/10 ranks him a mere fraction outside the club's top five players for the campaign.

The £6.75million-rated defender has clearly established himself as a key player at Ibrox.

Indeed, he was named in the team of the season for 2020/21 after helping Rangers to the Scottish title.

A January departure feels likely. The extent of Rangers' losses means they probably can't afford to turn down a reasonable offer, and what's more, reported suitors West Ham United have just lost Angelo Ogbonna for the remainder of the season and may need a replacement.

In other news, this trio struggled at the weekend.