Pranav Shahaney

Thu 5 January 2023 8:10, UK

Chris Sutton believes that Rangers defender James Tavernier was “on toast” in the first half of the 2-2 draw against Celtic on 3 January.

The Glasgow rivals shared the points in an entertaining derby clash at the start of the year and Tavernier failed to keep up with Daizen Maeda.

Sutton called out the Englishman for his errors throughout the contest despite Michael Beale’s side ending the game with the higher xG due to better chances created.

Sutton wrote in the Daily Record on 4 January, “There are not many Celtic players you would have given pass marks. Cameron Carter-Vickers was immense as usual, Daizen Maeda took his goal really well and had James Tavernier on toast in the first half, and Callum McGregor was decent.”

Came back strong

If Sutton thinks Tavernier was actually on toast, he came back strong in the second half and silenced his critics.

Not only did he score the all-important goal that put the hosts into the lead, but he was also adept at winning back possession.

He did lose a single aerial duel and did well to keep the right side relatively quiet in the second period of the contest.

He has been criticised for his lack of positioning in the past so it was good to see him responding to a rather underwhelming first half.

Beale surely would not have been impressed by his constant giveaways of possession, but that’s what you get with Tavernier and more often than not, he wins his side games.

That said, it is wise for Rangers to start thinking about the long term and perhaps replacing him for good as he cannot continue at this level for too many years more.

In other Rangers news, the club are now fancying their chances of major a January transfer after Fabrizio Romano’s update with a move on the cards.