BBC pundit blasts ‘poor’ James Tavernier after what he saw him do in Rangers v Servette
James McFadden criticised James Tavernier for his “poor” free-kick during the first half of Rangers’ Champions League tie with Servette.
Tavernier decided to shoot from a left-sided position just outside the box, despite the angle being against him, and fired his initial attempt straight into the two-man opposition wall.
With Rangers players still waiting in the centre, the full-back horribly sliced his follow-up attempt straight out of play for a throw-in on the opposite flank.
Former Scotland international McFadden felt Tavernier, who was later on target at the Stade de Geneve, should have done better.
“That’s poor from Tavernier,” McFadden said as part of BBC Scotland’s Sportscene coverage of the match [15 August, 19:44].
“I’m looking at the set-up from Servette with two men in the wall. I thought that they’re taking a chance with Tavernier with the ability that he has from free-kicks.
“It’s disappointing for him, it’s an opportunity. I’m not saying he should score but he should certainly test the goalkeeper with his ability from that position.”
Tavs makes amends
Tavernier failed to make the most of a few set-pieces in the first half, this being the most prominent example as Rangers went into half-time a goal behind on the night and level at 2-2 on aggregate.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, of course, but the 31-year-old should have been looking for one of his teammates inside the box, rather than going for glory himself and getting it horribly wrong.
As is so often the case of European nights, however, Tavernier did play his part by making amends for that rare howler with a headed equaliser at the back post from Borna Barisic’s cross, restoring the Gers’ aggregate lead five minutes into the second half.
Tavernier now has an impressive 12 goals for Rangers in Europe since the start of the 2018-19 campaign, a tally that many of his more attack-minded teammates will be envious of.
With the ability to pop up at crucial moments, as well as possessing a calm head when it comes to taking penalties, Rangers supporters will no doubt be more than willing to forgive ‘Tavs’ for his terrible free-kick.
In other Rangers news, Michael Beale made a huge selection call by dropping Cyriel Dessers for the clash in Geneva.