Michael Beale over his Rangers PTSD after return of 'proper defenders' Connor Goldson and Ben Davies

dailyrecord.co.uk:

You can’t blame Michael Beale for getting a little angsty when the topic of his centre-backs is brought up.The new Rangers boss is still trying to blank out the heart-stopping ordeals he was put through during his first two games in charge.

Forced to name patched-up backlines against Hibs and Aberdeen after inheriting an injury list the length of Paisley Road West, the ensuing drama foisted upon the Londoner by the Light Blues harum-scarum antics in defence very nearly left him suffering with a case of PTSD.On both occasions, the Gers rearguard were bailed out of trouble by the men further up the field but it’s no wonder Beale doesn’t want to tempt fate with the fitness of Connor Goldson and Ben Davies.

Jordan White’s goal during Saturday’s win over Ross County denied Gers’ new dynamic defensive duo a fourth clean sheet on the bounce but there’s no doubt things have tightened up since Beale has been able to partner vice-skipper Goldson alongside the £4million recruit from Liverpool.Rangers have now recorded six shut-outs under their new gaffer, compared to just nine in the 27 before that when his processor Gio van Bronckhorst was left with academy kid Leon King and out-of-position midfield man James Sands as he attempted to piece together a rearguard capable of halting some of the most formidable attacks the Champions League had to offer.Since Davies' return to action as a substitute late on in that 3-2 Pittodrie thrill ride, he and Goldson have formed an inseparable pairing.

Beale has chopped and changed his goalkeeper, rotated his midfield combinations but the one thing he hasn’t done so far is separate the new bedrocks of his team.He said: “It’s all about partnerships, isn’t it?