What Gers captain did against Kilmarnock leaves Clement with a problem
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
James Tavernier has had an outstanding individual season for Rangers and yet there are still concerns about the skipper going into this weekend’s Old Firm derby. Roasted at Ibrox by Daizen Maeda, the Gers captain will be hoping for a better start than the one that saw his side behind straight from the kick-off. There is also another issue that James Tavernier is at the centre of after Rangers, eventually, overcame Kilmarnock on Sunday. Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images The goal that Rangers conceded to Kilmarnock is one that Tavernier won’t want to see again, however, there was little that he could have done about it. It’s not bad defending, it’s not even a mistake that Tavernier could be held responsible for. He covers the run of the Kimarnock forward and, with Jack Butland protecting the front post, Tavernier covers the cut-back. The ball then deflects off his arm to go in the net. With hindsight, this helps Rangers becuase, had it not gone in, Kilmarnock would have been awarded a penalty and Tavernier sent off, similar to the Joe Wright incident at the other end. It was bad luck, nothing more.
This wasn’t the issue, missing his fifth penalty of the season was.
James Tavernier is one of the best penalty takers in modern football with a success rate that has only just dropped below the 80% mark throughout his career.
There is a reason why he is one of the highest scoring defenders in history.
With the average being 75%, Tavernier is better than most.
In previous years, Rangers didn’t have a replacement, however, now they do.
Cyriel Dessers shows a calmness from the penalty spot that he sometimes lacks in open play.
Had he been responsible on Sunday, he would have scored, why? Because he waits for the keeper to move whereas Tavernier prefers to pick his spot and then commit.
Will Dennis was too active on the goal line not to move and he was only going to dive in one direction when you see how he planted his feet.
Out of his last five, he has missed three, and with the next run of games being the most pressurised for some time, it will be interesting to see if Tavernier steps up again – given his recent record.
Either way, the 32-year old right-back can’t win.
Should he take the responsibility and miss, he will get criticised, but if he lets someone else have a turn, he will have his mentality questioned.
Tavernier isn’t a traditional Rangers captain compared to the likes of legends Terry Butcher, Richard Gough or Barry Ferguson, if his side are awarded a penalty at Parkhead though, I know who I’d want to take it.
When it has mattered most he has handled the pressure from 12-yards, and in Saturday’s Old Firm, there will be no place to hide.
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