Connor Goldson faces Rangers fitness race ahead of Champions League qualifiers

Connor Goldson faces a race to be fit for Rangers’ Champions League qualifiers.

The centre back has been back in training and took part in the open session in front of fans at Ibrox yesterday, although trained separately from the squad. It comes after he was missing from action with a knee injury, sitting out the final three matches of the previous campaign and then a large chunk of pre-season training.

It’s an area of the pitch that the Light Blues haven’t strengthened in this summer despite bringing in players in a number of other positions and Michael Beale previously hinting a centre-back would be signed. So the 30-year-old’s return to action, when it comes, will be seen as a huge boost.

However, having just returned to training Saturday’s Premiership clash against Kilmarnock will almost certainly be too soon and next week’s Euro tie against either Servette or Genk might do too, unless he can prove his fitness.

Gers won’t rush him back to action but his return to training at least gives him a chance.

Fellow centre back Ben Davies sat out the open session after missing the Hoffenheim friendly through illness. Leon Balogun and Yohnly Yfeko started that match with John Souttar also missing.

Tom Lawrence missed training too but assured fans he just had a niggle and would be back soon, while Fashion Sakala was another who sat out with another received from Saudi side Al-Fayha.