Connor Goldson OUT as Rangers suffer hammer injury blow for Celtic showdown

Connor Goldson is OUT of Rangers' trip to Parkhead in a hammer injury blow for Michael Beale's men ahead of their Celtic showdown, with John Souttar IN for the clash in the east end of Glasgow.

The Englishman is a huge presence in the heart of the Light Blues rearguard and has made 35 appearances in all competitions for the Ibrox side this season but is missing from the visitors team sheet at the home of their fierce rivals.

Rumours were swirling around on the morning of the derby crunch that Goldson had picked up an injury in training on the eve of the fixture and the 30-year-old is missing for the short journey across Glasgow for the first of an Old Firm trilogy in the final couple of months of the season. Goldson has formed a solid pairing with fellow central defender Ben Davies in the heart of the Rangers defence but Souttar has been given the nod to step up and fill the former Brighton man's boots.

Some fears were allayed among the Rangers support when he was spotted arriving at Celtic Park. But more astute observers noticed he had no bag and was seen clutching a cup of coffee, a tell-tale sign he was not going to play.

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