Rangers remain overly ‘reliant’ on James Tavernier after Hearts heroics – Chris Jack
Chris Jack has suggested that Rangers may remain overly “reliant” on James Tavernier following his heroics against Hearts on Sunday 29 October.
The Light Blues’ captain missed a first-half penalty, before stepping up to slot home a second-half spot-kick in the closing minutes of the match, only to then pick out Danilo moments later with an excellent ball for the Brazilian to head home a late winner.
Tavernier has been one of many players to be criticised this season following the difficult start to the campaign under the management of Michael Beale and Jack was quick to praise the defender’s performance.
Writing for Rangers Review (31 October) he said: “His goal on Sunday was his seventh of the campaign. Some of the others – such as the equaliser in Servette that secured Champions League progression or the openers against Ross County and St Mirren – carry greater weight than others.
“That strike in Dingwall was, alongside his second in Paisley, a spectacular effort that few others within the group are capable of. That sums up Tavernier’s standing right now. At a time when so many others are failing to contribute, the Englishman is producing influential moments even when he is not playing well.
“Tavernier will be integral to that process going forward and Rangers remain reliant on him, perhaps overly so. When Rangers need someone to rescue them, it is Tavernier that continues to do so more often than any of those he shares the pitch with.”
Positive or negative
It isn’t necessarily a bad thing for a side to be slightly reliant on one or two crucial players, but there is a feeling that when the chips are down at Ibrox, too many people on the pitch for Rangers immediately look to their captain to dig them out of trouble.
More often than not, Tavernier steps up and produces a moment of magic to ensure that the Light Blues get away with one and that was true against Hearts on Sunday. While the penalty was slotted away under immense pressure, the cross for Danilo’s goal was arguably more exceptional.
But Tavernier won’t be around forever and the 32-year-old has shown at times this season that not even he can produce the moment of positivity to save Rangers and given the amount of money spent over the summer, there should be further contributions from the rest of the squad.
Danilo stepped up to head home at Ibrox and that could be viewed as a step in the right direction hopefully under Clement more players will begin to produce their Tavernier-esque moments of magic. If not, the Gers could be in for a tough run if the 32-year-old’s form slows down once again.
In other Rangers news, Tom Lawrence is set to return to first-team training with the Gers and could provide a huge boost to Clement