Ally McCoist blown away by stunning James Tavernier as Rangers self-destruct at Celtic
James Tavernier’s superb equalising free kick blew Ally McCoist away as the Rangers captain was huge in the 3-2 defeat at Celtic.
The Gers right-back scored his 99th and 100th goals for the club at the home of the Old Firm rivals, in a game where the visitors were on top for large periods but defensive errors threw the game away.
Before heading home a late Borna Barisic cross to reach his century Tavernier had curled an inch-perfect free kick in off the bar as the clock ticked into first-half stoppage time, to silence the home crowd and cancel out Kyogo Furuhashi’s opener, leaving McCoist stunned.
Reacting live on the Sky Sports match coverage (8 April, 1.16pm) McCoist could be heard exclaiming “dear me” after the ball hit the net as commentator Ian Crocker was shouting: “Outstanding! Top quality! Top corner! Top man! James Tavernier with an exceptional equaliser for Rangers! Make that 99 goals for the club.”
McCoist then said: “Let me tell you lads, that is magnificent. I just said he had to get forward more, that is unstoppable… When a set play is hit with that pace, that quality, what a finish that is. It’s a brilliant, brilliant goal, and you’ve got to be honest boys it’s no more than Rangers deserve, they really do.”
He then added: “Wow, it is superb quality, absolutely different class.”
Stunning
It is hard to know where to start with the latest Old Firm derby, as Michael Beale failed in his third attempt to get a win over Celtic.
And yet his side did virtually everything he could have hoped for, pushing the now-certain SPFL champions to the limit, forcing them into sloppy passes throughout, scoring two excellent goals, and having a third strike harshly ruled out by Kevin Clancy.
But all that was undone by one sloppy error each from Ben Davies and John Souttar – in for the injured Connor Goldson – in the second half, to gift Kyogo and Jota the goals that won the game.
Alfredo Morelos’ first half strike with the game goalless was disallowed for a very harsh foul on Alistair Johnston as the pair wrestled at a corner, and had it been allowed it may have been a different game.
But despite that set back, and then going behind, Tavernier stepped up to fire a world-class equaliser home from 25-yards just before the break.
It provided the perfect platform for the second half, and were it not for the self-inflicted wounds, an otherwise strong overall performance from Rangers may have been enough.
Some Light Blues did not perform, with Malik Tillman and Ryan Jack disappointing, but Tavernier was outstanding. Unfortunately for him it was, as so often against Celtic of late, in defeat.
In other Rangers news, two senior first team players are leaving the club according to Tom English.