James Tavernier: This is what I say to Rangers teammate Barisic whenever he gets an assist
Rangers captain James Tavernier has spoken about the relationship between himself and Borna Barisic after the two combined for another goal on Thursday night.
The skipper headed home a searching cross from the Croatian to put the Gers 2-0 up against Galatasaray in the Europa League in midweek, which was his seventh goal in his last seven games.
Tavernier and Barisic have contributed to 18 Gers goals already this season, with 10 assists and eight goals between them, but the English full-back has spoken of how his priority is to “keep goals out” of his own net, despite his attacking exploits.
Speaking to the Scottish Sun, Tavernier said: “Myself and Borna Barisic are always trying to push each other on with our deliveries and set-pieces.
“Borna and I always have a little joke about assists — and I’ll say to him ‘That’s one more’ when he gets his.
“But we are in the team to first and foremost, keep goals out. After that, we are in there to provide for the team. If that’s goals, assists or other play, then that’s what we need to do, and what the gaffer requires from us.
“Borna has had a great start to the season, and his assists are racking up.”
How important are Tavernier and Barisic to Rangers?
Immensely, is the short answer.
Tavernier recently scored his 50th goal as a Rangers player in the Gers 4-0 win over Willem II last month, and has added goals 51, 52, and 53 in the two games since.
The Rangers captain is in the form of his life, and really is setting the standard at Ibrox.
The 28-year-old has even drawn praise from former Gers boss Alex McLeish, who has claimed that the full-back is “absolutely on fire” at the moment.
As for Barisic, his tally one goal and six assists in 11 appearances this term is quite some achievement, and were it not for the incredible exploits of his skipper, he’d probably be getting a lot more praise right now.
All in all, we’re just delighted that we have the best full-back pairing in Scotland.
In other Rangers news, ‘If I was a Rangers fan…’ – Chris Sutton makes big claim about Alfredo Morelos.