Danny Mills has offered Rangers defender Connor Goldson some advice over his contract situation at Ibrox.

What's the talk?

The former England international has urged the 28-year-old to reject a new deal at Ibrox unless the club places a release clause in it.

West Ham are reportedly keen on the defender, who is out of contract next summer, and Mills believes that he should utilise his position of power.

The former Leeds right-back told Football Insider: “What we’re seeing now is players signing contracts with a release clause. He’s 28, so he’s no spring chicken.

“If the club doesn’t want to put the clause in the contract, then don’t sign it. If you’re in demand, whether it be one, two or three clubs – you have the power… but use it wisely.

“When you get to his age, you’re thinking about maybe one last move. Whether he’s good enough for West Ham… I’m not convinced.”

Gerrard needs him

Ross Wilson must now make a key decision in contract negotiations with Goldson. It would be a disaster to lose such a crucial member of the squad on a free transfer, with his deal up next summer, which means that Wilson must do everything he can to get him to put pen to paper, including a release clause.

Goldson has proven that he is a quality player for Rangers in recent years and losing him would be a huge blow for Gerrard. The 28-year-old has helped to keep 28 clean sheets in his last 42 Premiership appearances, averaging a SofaScore rating of 7.39 last term and showing that he has been a brick wall at the back for the Gers, for whom he started every league game in 2020/21.

Gerrard has also hailed Goldson as a warrior and praised his leadership on and off the pitch. Back in February, he told The Scotsman: “Connor has been an absolute mountain for this team, a warrior.

“I can’t describe to you how well he has done for this team, not just in terms of what you have seen on the pitch but also his leadership on the inside of the club and his availability every single day.”

This shows that he combines excellent performances on the pitch with strong leadership skills around the club day-in-day-out. Therefore, he is a player who Gerrard needs at Ibrox and Wilson needs to work hard to keep; and if that means adding a release clause to the defender's contract to ensure his short-term future, so be it.

It would be better for Rangers to extend his contract and potentially lose him for a pre-agreed fee further down the line than losing him for nothing next summer. With a release clause, the Light Blues would at least be reimbursed for his services and given funds to replace him, whilst also potentially keeping hold of him if no clubs come in and activate it.