“You can’t judge people off one game.”

Connor Goldson had plenty to say in defence of John Souttar earlier today, but no line rang as true as the above. On his competitive Rangers debut, Souttar struggled. Joel Nouble got the better of him to put Livingston one goal ahead, dominated subsequent duels and James Sands replaced the centre-back on 67 minutes.

His performance provoked sufficient criticism to earn a strong defence, “I saw a few things on the internet after Saturday, people talking badly about him because he’s had one game where he’s made a few mistakes,” Goldson said.

“We’ve been there. I’ve been written off plenty of times by Rangers fans. I see him every single day and I have no doubt that he’ll be an unbelievable signing for this club.

“He’s an international player, 25 years old and he’s played however many games in Scottish football. We know what we’ve signed. We all know the pressure that comes with joining Rangers. You can’t judge people off one game. Livingston away is not an easy place to go with the pitch and the way they play. I’ve been more impressed seeing him in training. I knew he was a good player playing against Hearts, but everything he does is so crisp with the ball. He throws himself in front of everything and I’m so excited to play with him.”

Criticism is in the very DNA of football. While Goldson has a right to speak his mind, supporters do as well. They travel far and wide to support their teams and, justifiably, feel vindicated to share their frustrations and communicate opinions. Everyone watching Saturday’s 2-1 win over Livingston saw Souttar have a bad game and stating that is entirely fair.

Within reason, criticism is par for the course at a big club but premature judgement is a different matter entirely. And Goldson was right to highlight an element of discourse that impinged on the hysterical.

It was at this very time last year that John Lundstram was written off by many. Performances during a 1-0 defeat against Dundee United and Champions League tie with Malmo made up minds. A red card two weeks later at home against Alashkert only cemented opinion that Lundstram would never make the grade at Ibrox. 

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Like all good stories, his Rangers spell featured a revival laced with revisionism. By the end of last season, the 28-year-old would score the goal that took the club to a European final and revive Belinda Carlisle’s ‘Heaven is a place on Earth’ along the way. When 50,000 sang ‘John Lundstram is the best on Earth’ following that 3-1 win against RB Leipzig, they meant it. The Liverpudlian quickly became a cult hero in three months and changed every mind previously left unconvinced.

“Everyone thinks it’s easy, you’re just playing central midfield and it’s plain sailing,” Lundstram said last August when discussing his move to Ibrox, the day prior to his red card against Alashkert.

“But it’s tough, the manager has asked me to play a different role to the one I’m used to. At Sheffield United, I was always asked to stay away from the ball, stay higher up the pitch, and let the centre-halves step in. Whereas now, the gaffer likes me to drop and get on the ball a little but deeper. I’m still learning the position and hopefully, as I play more games I’ll pick it up more.”

Initially, Lundstram looked clunky and unnatural when asked to perform the mechanical movements Steven Gerrard required from his men in the middle. From playing the all-action role in a side that averaged 41.4 percent possession the year prior, he was suddenly the tempo setter for a league-winning side. Tasked with creating space before the prospect of a chance even appeared.

By his own judgement, it took time to adjust. By the time Gerrard departed, Lundstram had performed well against Hearts, Hibs and Dundee, although, it was Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s management and playing style that truly unlocked his potential.

Similarly, Souttar isn’t just coming in to simply ‘play centre-back’. Although occupying the same position on the teamsheet, he must learn an entirely new style. At Hearts, the Scotland international featured on the right of a back three but on Saturday, he was on the left of a back two. Not only that, the defensive demands under van Bronckhorst are unlike any system Souttar has played previously. Defending man-for-man high up the pitch is not for the faint-hearted. There is no guarantee he will be the “unbelievable signing” Goldson predicts. For every Lundstram there is an Aaron Ramsey or Jack Simpson.

But Goldson’s opinion merits highlighting, as a defender who has himself adjusted to Ibrox demands on and off the pitch. Rangers have signed a player who stood out in the Scottish Premiership last season and will require time to show his best self, because of this different role and its demanding requirements.