Former Albion defender Connor Goldson is a league champion – four years after undergoing heart surgery.

Goldson has helped Rangers open an unassailable 20-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Their title was confirmed today as Celtic failed to beat Dundee United.

Former Albion defender Leon Balogun has also played a full part in the Rangers success under Steven Gerrard.

Goldsons’s career and indeed life were under threat saved when a routine test during the 2016-17 promotion-winning season showed an enlarged aorta.

He later said: “My dad had a heart attack when he was in his late 30s and his dad died of a heart attack.

“So I was always wary of it and that there might be something wrong with me.

“I remember when the physio asked me to go and get it tested. I was supposed to be playing Call of Duty with the boys. So I wanted to go home and play and I told the physio I didn’t really want to go.

“He said to me ‘Look it’s costing the club £1,500 and its only haf an hour, just go.

“So I went and then I got the results two days later. It was emotional. I went to see the specialist in London with the club doctor and I remember breaking down in front of him.

“I remember thinking ‘I’m 24 years old, I’m not a boy’ and I don’t think he could relate to me on that level as he had never seen me emotional.

“It was hard because you don’t really want to show that side to someone you don’t 
really know well.”

Goldson recovered to be part of the promotion celebrations.

He warmed up with the title-chasing squad ahead of the final game of the season, at Aston Villa, and went on to play for Albion in the Premier League.