Kris Boyd left baffled by James Tavernier after what he said about Rangers v Celtic
Kris Boyd was bemused with James Tavernier’s claim that Celtic’s second goal should have been disallowed due to a handball incident in the 3-2 Old Firm derby win over Rangers at Parkhead on Saturday 08 April.
The Rangers skipper made the bold call, which was also stated by Gers boss Michael Beale, in the aftermath of the disappointing result in which he scored a double with two fine goals.
It was an absolute calamity from Ben Davies which led to Celtic going ahead in the second half with a goal from Kyogo to make it 2-1. After he failed to clear initially, the ball came down from the air practically on the byline when he contrived to put it back into play instead of simply clearing his lines for a corner.
Post-match Tavernier told Sky Sports: “I’ve just looked back and seen their second goal was a handball and I didn’t believe our first goal was a foul.
“They’re the margins. You’re coming away with zero points and that’s what we didn’t want to do, so we’re all disappointed.”
In response, Boyd was very quick to question what the Ibrox skipper had seen.
“No, I don’t know what angle Tavernier has managed to see a handball at,” he said. “You can tell by where Jota is, it tells you exactly where it hit.
“If I’m James Tavernier I would be coming out and saying more about the defending. Ben Davies looks and sees it Jota. Just go and clear it. You always go back to the greats, Richard Gough and Davie Weir – they would have gone right through you.
“He (Davies) tried to duck away from it. Regarding the hand ball? I haven’t a clue what he’s seen there.”
No chance?
In live play, there was no hint of a handball from Jota and that was confirmed with the replays and close-up angles shown by Sky after the game.
It would be interesting but confusing, to say the least, to know what has influenced the comments of Tavernier and Beale regarding the build-up to the second goal that Rangers conceded. Regardless of that, the focus will be on the defensive self-destruct as both Davies and John Souttar fluffed their lines, spectacularly.
On top of the controversial call from Kevin Clancy to disallow Alfredo Morelos’ effort, the unforced errors compounded an afternoon of disappointment and regret from a Rangers perspective.
There were aspects of the performance that will have pleased Michael Beale but overall, the game showed the gap that still exists between the Old Firm and the extent of the work required for next season.
Before that, an immediate response is required at the end of the month when the teams meet again in the Scottish Cup semi-final. Only a win will do for Rangers.
In other news, BBC Sportsound pundit could not believe his eyes at Rangers star v Celtic.