CONNOR GOLDSON insists the gap across the Old Firm divide isn’t as big as has previously been made out after the first derby showdown of the campaign.

Steven Gerrard’s side fell four points adrift of Celtic in the Premiership standings as they went down 1-0 at Parkhead on Sunday.

It was the first defeat the Light Blues have suffered this term as they failed to build on their European exploits in midweek.

But defender Goldson reckons Rangers shouldn’t be disheartened after Olivier Ntcham netted the only goal of the game to separate the sides.

He said: “Not big. Obviously this is the first time I have played in a derby but I have just said that when I came here in pre-season I heard a lot of people how much better they were, how they beat Rangers 5-0 last season.

“I thought they were going to be like Barcelona. I am not just saying that.

“There was such a down in our football club of how big the gap was that I think it was like some of our players, that are maybe not here anymore, were looking at them like they were nowhere near catchable.

“I am not going to say they are not a good team. They are a good team and we respect them.

“But I think we are getting closer and the players that the manager has brought in have been together for two, three months. We will get closer.

“I said at the start I am proud to be in this team and they gave everything. Each man gave everything and the game plan was right.

“Maybe we were too deep in the first half but we were frustrating them. I feel we are going to get closer.

“I can’t sit here after three or four games and say. We will definitely give everything and we just need to go on a run ourselves now after the international break and win games and see where it takes us.”