By Danny Mills

8th Jun, 2022 | 7:00am

Connor Goldson forced to sign Rangers contract as new claim issued - pundit

Connor Goldson played “poker” with Rangers and had no other suitable offers from other clubs, according to Danny Mills.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Premier League and England defender delivered his verdict after Goldson penned a new four-year deal with the Ibrox giants.

Rangers confirmed last week (1 June) that the 29-year-old had committed to a new long-term contract when he looked certain to leave.

His previous agreement was set to expire this summer but he now has the opportunity to add to his 223 for the Gers appearances across all competitions.

Asked why he thought the Englishman had signed a new deal, Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “It’s probably because he had nowhere else to go.

“Or the offers he was getting weren’t as good as what was on offer at Rangers. Rangers think ‘We’ve got a player here, we like him, know what he offers, the manager seen him over the last six months or so’.

“It’s one of those where he probably thought he was going to get a better move and that hasn’t materialised.

“He’s maybe fortunate that deal was still on the table. I would suggest that’s the case, he’s played a gamble, played a bit of poker thinking he can get a better move, more money, longer deal or whatever it might be and that’s not been in the offing.

“He’s had to say ‘I’ll have to stick where I am and settle with what I’ve got’.”

Goldson was a key part of the side that reached the 2021-22 Europa League final.

He did not miss a minute of action of the 2020-21 Scottish Premiership campaign as Rangers finished unbeaten champions with just 13 goals conceded.

In other news, a Premier League club are in advanced talks to sign a Rangers player after a record Ibrox offer.