Connor Goldson would be a smart move by Birmingham, says former boss Alex McLeish

ALEX McLEISH recruited from Rangers as he led Birmingham City to their greatest achievement in modern history.

It’s no surprise that new Blues boss Chris Davies is eyeing a shot at Ibrox. salvage them from one of their darkest hours now.

SunSport revealed yesterday that the former Celtic boss has targeted Gers stopper Connor Goldson after taking over as gaffer at St Andrew’s.

Birmingham are rebuilding after relegation to League One and Davies, who worked under Brendan Rodgers and Ange Postecoglou at the Hoops, is desperate to add the experience of Goldson, 31, from the Midlands.

And former Big Eck gaffer, who won silverware with both clubs, can see the wisdom in making a move for the experienced centre-back.

McLeish told SunSport: “Connor has had a great spell at Rangers and played for them at the highest possible level, a European final.

“He has a lot of experience as well strikes me as the guy who will share this experience with others in the club.

“He’s had a great time at Rangers for over six years and has shown everyone what he can do and what he’s capable of.

“You won’t hear a bad word from me about the center halves! And Connor certainly did what was asked of him at Ibrox.

“He scored a goal or two, he was a threat from handballs and I’ve always admired his style of play.

“He’s been at Rangers for a long time when you think about the modern game and look at the way players come and go.

“It says a lot about him to have that longevity there.

“There are high demands on Rangers players. It is among the biggest and most demanding clubs in the world.

“The fans are demanding wins every week, but Connor has been aware of that and he’s dealt with those demands.

“You have to be a winner to last that long at Rangers. Wherever he goes Nextwhether it’s Birmingham or wherever, that will help him.”

Goldson lost first-choice status for the first time in his Gers career towards the end of last season.

He was sent off by boss Philippe Clement before a knee injury ended his campaign prematurely.

The defender has two years remaining on his contract at Ibrox, having made over 300 appearances for the club since signing with Steven Gerrard back in summer from 2018.

He has been linked with a reunion with former Saudi boss Gerrard Al-Ettifaqbut now Birmingham have faced off as frontrunners to land the Wolverhampton-born stopper.

If a deal can be struck, former Blues boss McLeish hopes he can spark a revival for his old club.

He added: “I was very sad to see Birmingham go down from Championship in League One.

“It was a tragedy watching them on that last day.

“I tuned into the drama TV. At one point, they were sitting high, then they were going down and finally it was their turn to be relegated.

“I felt a lot for the fans. I really had something to do when I was there. I won League Cupand finished ninth in the Premier League.

“I went to Aston Villa and had a difficult season there but I saved them money and kept up with them.”

Big Eck is still revered at St Andrew’s after winning the 2011 League Cup Final against the Stars. Arsenal at Wembley.

Obafemi Martins scored a last-gasp winner after mix-up between the Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and stopper Laurent Koscielny.

Big Eck raided Rangers to take Barry Ferguson for the cup winning side. Joined a colleague Scotland plays James McFadden and Garry O’Connor in the Blues team.

And Kris Boyd came within hours of joining them, only for his move from the Gers to collapse at the last minute.

McLeish recalled: “I went down, came back and took them to ninth in the top flight flight.

“It was a pretty incredible era for us at the time.

“I would have liked to have taken it further, but David Sullivan he sold the club, and the Chinese consortium that bought it didn’t have the ambition.