2 TEDDY BEARS TO THE 3 LIONS
Coughlan reckons Goldson and Tav could be first Gers to earn England caps since Gazza
It was 23 years ago today Paul Gascoigne picked up the last of his 22 England caps earned during his time as a Rangers player.
The Geordie genius featured in a 2- 0 friendly win over Cameroon at Wembley just four months before leaving Ibrox for Middlesbrough.
Gascoigne appeared only three more times for his country before missing the cut for Glenn Hoddle’s 1998 World Cup squad which signalled the end of his event ful international career.
That made him the last of the seven England stars – along with Terry Butcher, Chris Woods, Gary Stevens, Trevor Steven, Mark Walters and Mark Hateley – who were capped as Rangers players.
And since Gazza left only really Michael Ball has come close to pulling on the Three Lions while at Ibrox.
But he failed to add to the single cap he earned as an Everton player despite SvenGoran Eriksson’s assurances before his £ 6.5million move.
So it was a sign of the progress made by Rangers under Steven Gerrard – an 114cap England legend and former captain – when his assistant Gary McAllister claimed Ryan Kent must be close with his stunning early-season form.
But it’s a rock-solid defence on which Gerrard has built a sensational 20-game unbeaten start to the campaign with just three goals conceded.
And there has been a big Anglo influence with Connor Goldson key to the miserly rearguard along with skipper James Tavernier, who has also contributed a dozen goals from full-back with seven coming from the penalty spot.
Former Livingston defender Graham Cough lan was captain at Shrewsbury when he was given a chance to get some coaching experience working with the kids.
It was there he first spotted the potential in Goldson, then youth team captain at New Meadow – and he believed the dedicated youngster would go right to the top.
Goldson’s Brighton shirt, which hangs in the gym of Coughlan’s home, is a reminder of how he made it to the promised land of the English Premier League.
And Coughlan bel ieves Gareth Southgate could do a lot worse than look north of the border to the Gers centrehalf and team-mate Tavernier.
The England boss suffered injuries in those two positions last week when Liverpool duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez were crocked.
Southgate has K ieran Trippier and Reece James at right- back with the likes of Conor Coady, Eric Dier, Harry
Maguire, Tyrone Mings and Kyle Walker to choose from for his favoured three-man central defence.
But Coughlan reckons Goldson’s exploits this season – his double in the Old Firm derby win and performances in Europe – should see him in the reckoning with Tavernier.
The 45- year- old said: “If Connor and James were playing in England they would be in the national squad – there’s no ifs or buts about it. Rangers and
Celtic are two of the biggest clubs in world football.
“But because they play in Scotland there seems to be a negative outlook from south of the border which is wrong.
“Old Firm players from other countries get call-ups despite playing in Scotland – so why not for the Goldsons and Taverniers of this world?
“I’ve played in England and Scotland and I can talk to people until I’m blue in the face and tell them the qualities of the Scottish game and the mentality – but they just don’t take me seriously.
“What more can Connor and Tavernier do than be competing in Old Firm games and Europe and be top of the league by nine points?
“Why does the whole of Europe tune in to the Old Firm games? Because it fascinates them. And you need quality to play in it.
“Connor is fully deserving of where he is after his work and dedication. It’s an absolute fairytale, an unbelievable story.
“And if the Scottish game was viewed dif ferently in England then both Connor and James would be up for England call-ups.
“For any full-back to be in double figures for goals after three months of the season is an unbelievable achievement. Yes, the knockers wil l say there’s a number of penalties but you’ve got to convert them.
“But it’s not only his goals – he’s playing well. And when you’re hot you deserve to reap the rewards .
“It won’t be long before Southgate takes Rangers and Celtic seriously.”
It’s Goldson who Coughlan knows best out of the Light Blues duo but even he was taken by surprise at the defender’s double in the win at Parkhead earlier this season.
He smiled: “I would never have had Connor down as a goalscoring centre-half with
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Engla nation in al in the
– no ifs squad or buts
twinkle toes and finesse and a touch in the opposition box.
“If Connor was going to score it would have been a towering header from a set-piece.
“So it was a surprise to see a sharp, nimble poacher in the six- yard box turning the ball home.
“I watched the Old Firm derby and, naturally enough being an Irishman, it was bittersweet! I have to say I’d never have put goalscoring in his repertoire.
“It was just a pity that the crowd wasn’t there.
“Those special moments don’t come around in your career too often. Rangers have been brilliant in the last couple of seasons to come from where they were to where they are now. You have to take your hat off to them regardless of where your allegiances lie.
“I first worked with Connor when he was a k id at Shrewsbury Town when I was captain and was given an opportunity to do a bit of coaching with the youth team.
“I knew then he was cut out to go to the top and it’s great to see how far he’s come.
“I’ve actually got one of his Brighton jerseys in my gym because he sought me out after a game against Southend when I was coaching. He handed it to me and some of the things he said were very nice – it was more or less a thank you.
“I’m proud of the lad. I was a centre-half so I was drawn to him and we were very similar characters.
“We wore our heart on our sleeve, led by example and we were winners.
“When you’re trying to educate kids you get ones who stand with their mouth open and say they understand – but they don’t.
“Connor wouldn’t do that – he would always ask why. There was always a ‘ Why?’ and you had to put him in a scenario on the pitch and show him why or you’d show him a game on TV and explain how a situation arose – then he’d understand.
“He was always educating himself and inquisitive.
“I thought it was fascinating to have a young lad who wanted to stay late and ask questions to learn.
“I’m glad all the questions he asked and all the hours and dedication on the training ground, turning his back on the potential pitfalls for youth players, have paid off.”