‘Fantastic’ – Gordon Strachan wowed by Rangers ace in 2-0 v Standard, claims he ‘Scares people’
Former Celtic and Scotland manager has heaped praise on Rangers right-back James Tavernier after he scored yet another penalty in the Gers’ 2-0 win against Standard Liege on Thursday night.
Connor Goldson, fresh off the back of his Old Firm heroics on Saturday, won the penalty when he saw his header strike the hand of a Standard player after Tavernier’s inch-perfect cross into the penalty area.
The Rangers right-back then stepped up to take the spot-kick and eased the ball into the bottom corner despite Standard goalkeeper Arnaud Bodart guessing the right way to dive.
Tavernier now has nine goals in his last 10 appearances in all competitions – an impressive record regardless of most of his goals coming from 12 yards out.
When host Darrell Currie pointed out Tavernier’s goalscoring record this season at half-time on BT Sport 3, Strachan said: “It’s fantastic but for all the good football Rangers are playing, in the last two games their three goals have come from set-plays.
“Rangers are composed, they’re moving it about nicely, they’re doing well, they’ve got a change of pace. But again, set-plays are huge in a game of football.
“If you’ve got somebody who can deliver the ball like Tavernier and somebody who goes: ‘Yes, I’m going to head this’. What a difference it makes.
“It scares people.”
Tavernier’s goalscoring record is talked about a lot but the right-back also has five assists in 15 total appearances for the Light Blues this season.
He has an insane ability to whip a dangerous cross into the penalty area – as Celtic found out on Saturday to our amusement.
As Strachan said, when you have someone who’s good at set-plays like Tavernier, and a big man in the box who can win headers like Goldson, you can wreak havoc on defences.
Rangers will keep doing that but it’s brilliant that isn’t the only string in Gerrard’s bow as the Gers’ play when the ball is live is also superb to watch.
We know it’s been said a lot since winning promotion and since Gerrard took charge but this is easily the best Rangers have been playing and easily their best opportunity to win major silverware to end Celtic’s run of domestic trebles.
In other Rangers news, fans slammed one “atrocious” player at half-time against Standard.