Connor Goldson believes Rangers must “improve dramatically” after their humiliating 2-1 Europa League defeat to Aris Limassol on Thursday night.
Former Gers footballer Steven Davis was requested to take charge on an interim basis after Michael Beale was fired at the weekend after a 3-1 loss to Aberdeen at Ibrox, leaving them seven points behind Premiership leaders Celtic.
The Northern Irishman’s debut game as interim manager in Cyprus did not go well.
Defender Alex Moucketou-Moussounda put the home side ahead early on, and forward Shavy Babicka added a second in the 59th minute before Ibrox men attacker Abdallah Sima pulled one back, but the visitors were unable to complete the turnaround.
Goldson judged another bad effort ahead of Sunday’s trip to St Mirren.
“Obviously disappointing,” admitted the 30-year-old central defender. We came out from home expecting to win the game as usual, but we didn’t.
“It’s disheartening to have conceded two terrible goals.
“We need to regroup quickly because we have a lot of hard work ahead of us.”
“Same as on Saturday, you concede poor goals and don’t convert your chances, and the game will be difficult.”
“Give up the first goal – it’s my man.” I need to improve.
“The second goal was another poor goal, but at the moment we are conceding poor goals and not finishing at the other end, so we need to improve dramatically as a team.”
“There is a lot that is missing.” We’re giving up sloppy goals and not creating chances at the other end. Any squad that does this will struggle to win football games.
“It all comes down to confidence, obviously.”
We’ve had a terrible start to the season, but the only way to get through it is to work hard, and right now we need to work harder as a team.
“We need to run for each other more, fight for each other more; that is the only way to get out of a bad spell.”
“The more you work, the luckier you get.” Every day, you must put in a lot of effort. You go home, look in the mirror, and realize you’re doing everything right, and then you band together as a team.
“I believe we need to form a team as soon as possible, and we need to knuckle down and fight for each other.”
“I am not saying we are not doing that now but we have to become a real team as quickly as possible.”
At the end of the game, Rangers fans were once again left berating their players, but Goldson had no complaints.
“They’re paying a lot of money to come and watch us,” he explained.
“A five-and-a-half hour journey to come here and watch a football game, and we obviously haven’t delivered.” It is evident that this reaction is predicted.
I want to apologize, but I don’t want to apologize because I believe that’s all we’re doing right now.
“There is far too much talk from the club in general.”
“Everyone in the club, we’re doing media and talking too much; we need to start winning football games.”
“That’s what I tell the boys in the team; it’s the most passionate group of fans you’ll ever see, and once you start winning football games, they’ll be on your side.”
“But you don’t win games of football, they deserve their opinion.”
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