Steven Thompson: James Tavernier ‘has to do more’ for Rangers after role in Liverpool equaliser
James Tavernier was caught out by Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino, with the Rangers captain easily beaten as the Reds drew level at Ibrox.
Rangers started superbly at Ibrox on Wednesday evening, with Scott Arfield handing the hosts a lead after 17 minutes.
But Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side held on for just seven minutes before the visitors drew level through Firmino, with the Brazilian forward heading home from a corner.
Tavernier was easily beaten at the front post, and former Gers striker Steven Thompson slammed the 30-year-old for his lacklustre defending.
Via BBC Sportsound (10 October), Thompson said: “We’ve seen Rangers’ vulnerabilities from set-pieces.
“Tavernier has to do more to either stop Firmino, or win the header himself. It’s far too easy.”
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As pointed out by Thompson, Rangers have been poor defensively from set-pieces all season, and it’s a flaw surely pointed out by Van Bronckhorst before the match.
But despite it being a known weakness, it wasn’t a moment of skill or talent by Liverpool that drew them level, but instead a lack of focus from the Rangers defence.
Kostas Tsimikas simply stuttered his run up and the Gers defence shut down mentally. The Greek left-back then delivered a good ball to the front post and Tavernier was caught napping.
After such a promising, energetic start, it was a hugely disappointing moment from the player meant to be leading by example.
If Tavernier’s form doesn’t pick up quickly at Ibrox, he could find himself missing out on matchday.
In other Rangers news, the club have confirmed Barry Scott’s resignation from the board.