ItsInTheNet
Well-Known Member
Rangers centre half Connor Goldson has confessed that he didn’t hear a word of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s extra-time pep talk at Hampden yesterday because he was too busy slugging Lucozade and energy gels.
Goldson helped the Ibrox club come from behind and defeat their Parkhead rivals 2-1 in the Scottish Cup semi-final yesterday and book a final spot against Hearts at the national stadium on May 21.
The defender conceded he was tired following the Europa League quarter-final against Braga in Govon on Thursday night – the Scottish champions took 120 minutes to see off their Portuguese opponents.
And he admitted he didn’t take in a word of Van Bronckhorst’s instructions at the end of the 90 minutes because he was taking in vital fluids ahead of the additional half an hour.
“I don’t have a clue what he said - I was drinking Lucozade and energy gels,” he told Rangers TV.
“The boys kind of got around themselves and we said we knew it was a massive moment. We’ve had four years and not got to a Scottish cup final.
“You looked at them and they looked leggy too. Even though we had the game on Thursday it looked like they were tiring and we could see that. It probably gave us momentum and belief we could go and win.
“I’m buzzing, proud, tired. I’m proud of everyone after what we’ve had to give this week. To get the result we did? I thought the boys were magnificent.
“I’m tired, but when you win you feel less tired. We used the two days in between to recover. My legs didn’t feel great in the morning, but it’s an Old Firm and once you get into it your legs take care of themselves
.
“We said at half-time fatigue is mental and the body can always take it where you want to go. To play 120 minutes on Thursday and win and to play 120 minutes against Celtic and do the same is a magnificent effort.
“It was tough. We were in a good position they didn’t have too many chances then we didn’t organise well enough after the free-kick (Greg Taylor put Celtic in front in the second-half). It was a scruffy shot which took a deflection and you’re 1-0 down. You think not again, but the boys showed amazing character.”
Goldson stated he was pleased that Scott Arfield, who missed a sitter late on against Braga on Thursday night, scored the equaliser for Rangers in the 78th minute.
“I said to Scotty Arfield after the game ‘big players, big moments’,” he said. “He missed a big chance on Thursday and everyone probably slates him but it’s funny how football works.
He gets one chance and scores the equaliser so I’m made up for him then we grab the winner in extra-time.
“The crowd were important especially after the first goal when they got behind us. You could sense the bit of doubt when they scored.
The Rangers end went a bit quiet but as soon as we scored they pushed us and I’m just glad we’re sending them home with a smile on their faces.
“We need to recover properly and get ready for Sunday (Rangers play Motherwell in the cinch Premiership at Fir Park this weekend).
It’s nice to have a week without a game then another busy schedule starts."
Goldson helped the Ibrox club come from behind and defeat their Parkhead rivals 2-1 in the Scottish Cup semi-final yesterday and book a final spot against Hearts at the national stadium on May 21.
The defender conceded he was tired following the Europa League quarter-final against Braga in Govon on Thursday night – the Scottish champions took 120 minutes to see off their Portuguese opponents.
And he admitted he didn’t take in a word of Van Bronckhorst’s instructions at the end of the 90 minutes because he was taking in vital fluids ahead of the additional half an hour.
“I don’t have a clue what he said - I was drinking Lucozade and energy gels,” he told Rangers TV.
“The boys kind of got around themselves and we said we knew it was a massive moment. We’ve had four years and not got to a Scottish cup final.
“You looked at them and they looked leggy too. Even though we had the game on Thursday it looked like they were tiring and we could see that. It probably gave us momentum and belief we could go and win.
“I’m buzzing, proud, tired. I’m proud of everyone after what we’ve had to give this week. To get the result we did? I thought the boys were magnificent.
“I’m tired, but when you win you feel less tired. We used the two days in between to recover. My legs didn’t feel great in the morning, but it’s an Old Firm and once you get into it your legs take care of themselves
.
“We said at half-time fatigue is mental and the body can always take it where you want to go. To play 120 minutes on Thursday and win and to play 120 minutes against Celtic and do the same is a magnificent effort.
“It was tough. We were in a good position they didn’t have too many chances then we didn’t organise well enough after the free-kick (Greg Taylor put Celtic in front in the second-half). It was a scruffy shot which took a deflection and you’re 1-0 down. You think not again, but the boys showed amazing character.”
Goldson stated he was pleased that Scott Arfield, who missed a sitter late on against Braga on Thursday night, scored the equaliser for Rangers in the 78th minute.
“I said to Scotty Arfield after the game ‘big players, big moments’,” he said. “He missed a big chance on Thursday and everyone probably slates him but it’s funny how football works.
He gets one chance and scores the equaliser so I’m made up for him then we grab the winner in extra-time.
“The crowd were important especially after the first goal when they got behind us. You could sense the bit of doubt when they scored.
The Rangers end went a bit quiet but as soon as we scored they pushed us and I’m just glad we’re sending them home with a smile on their faces.
“We need to recover properly and get ready for Sunday (Rangers play Motherwell in the cinch Premiership at Fir Park this weekend).
It’s nice to have a week without a game then another busy schedule starts."
