‘Can’t defend for toffee’ – Joey Barton savages Rangers big name in bizarre rant
Joey Barton has claimed that Rangers captain James Tavernier “can’t defend for toffee”.
The former Ibrox midfielder, who endured a torrid spell at Ibrox in 2016, making just eight appearances in all competitions after joining a free transfer from Burnley.
But despite his own shortcomings north of the border, the outspoken ex-professional, who now manages Fleetwood Town, has hit out his former teammate for his lack of defensive talent.
Referencing the 5-1 Old Firm defeat to Celtic during Mark Warburton’s time in charge at Ibrox during an interview on the Football CFB podcast, he said:
“When [Phillipe] Senderos is sent off he [Warburton] makes a substitution which puts me as the middle man of a back three with Lee Wallace and Tav, with ten-men against Celtic and we are already behind.
“Now Tav can’t defend. Everybody knows that.
“He is great going forward, whips a great ball in but can’t defend for toffee.
“That’s why he has never kicked on.”
Does Barton have a point here?
Look, if we’re being honest, we all know that Tavernier’s greatest strengths lie in his attacking play.
The full-back has come in for criticism in the recent past too, with Billy Dodds claiming that he isn’t “as brilliant as he thinks he is”.
But for Barton to pile in on him seems a little rich.
The ex-midfielder has always been an outspoken figure, and he has never been afraid of upsetting people with his controversial opinions.
But bearing in mind how utterly useless he was for most of his fleeting spell at Ibrox, perhaps he should be more concerned with his own form as opposed to the performances of those around him.
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