Marathon man Connor Goldson has spoken of his pride at his four-year journey from the operating table to the winner’s podium as he prepares to smash through the 5000-minute barrier for Rangers.
The Light Blues stopper has been the rock-solid centre half that Steven Gerrard has built his historic success on this season with the £3 million signing from Brighton featuring in every second of the campaign.
Goldson has made an astonishing 55 - the same coveted number of this year’s title for the club - appearances.
And if the 28-year-old features for just 30 minutes against Aberdeen at Ibrox on trophy day at Ibrox on Saturday then he will have racked up 5000 minutes.
Goldson’s personal journey has been all the more remarkable after he underwent heart surgery while at Brighton and feared he might never play again.
Asked if that will make it more special, he said: “Yeah, it does in a way. It was a weird one. It was at the end of March when it came up on my phone that the operation was four years ago.
“That was a few weeks after we’d won the league so things like that put it into perspective.
“I'm proud of my achievement for myself and proud of the achievement for the team.
“From getting told I might never play football again and having heart surgery to being in the position I am means I'm fortunate and appreciative of everything that's happened.
“But personally, on a day to day basis, I don’t really think about it. I’m just happy that the three years I have been here have paid off.
“I'm fortunate he's trusted me to play every single game. It's up to me to stay fit and ready in between games and that's what I've tried to do to the best of my ability.
“It's about recovering well and trying to stay injury free, fortunately I've been able to do that.
“I came here and set out to win the league for Rangers. From the first day I spoke to the manager here, he set out that was a goal.
“Obviously it has taken us three years and it has been a big project and a big rebuild. But I’m glad to finally put this football club back where it belongs.
“Having met so many people in Glasgow and so many fans, it’s been a tough journey for this club and the supporters. I know it will be a special day for them tomorrow.”
Gerrard piled praise on the stopper and said: “He has been magnificent. As a manager, you can only ask your players to be available on a daily basis and be consistent for you.
“I can’t remember a training session, I can’t remember a game, where his standards have dropped too far below where he has been at for the season.
“He has been so strong, he has been robust, he has defended our goal for his life, he has contributed goals and been a leader.
“He took the baton off James Tavernier in terms of being the main captain to get us over the line. I can’t speak highly enough of Connor Goldson.”
