Leader Jack Butland prime candidate for new Rangers captain over ‘serial loser’ James Tavernier – BBC pundit
Jack Butland would make more sense as Rangers captain as it would “free up” James Tavernier who has been a “serial loser” at Ibrox, according to Lianne Crichton.
The BBC Scotland pundit said on the Go Radio Football show on 7 November that while the Gers skipper is an “unbelievable” player in his own right he doesn’t strike her as a “clear leader” in the mould of Barry Ferguson or Roy Keane.
While Andy Walker admitted he was “amazed” at the amount of criticism Tavernier gets Crichton suggested it would be beneficial all round for a character like summer signing Butland to take the armband to allow the defender to just concentrate on playing.
Walker said (48m 30s): “I wouldn’t have known who the leaders were in the Rangers dressing room before [Clement’s] come in…
“With regards to Tavernier I’m just amazed at the amount of criticism he gets. I know that he can be found out defensively but the return that he has given Rangers in the time that he’s been here has been truly remarkable for a right back.”
Crichton then added: “His stats you can’t argue with… He’s come in for a lot of criticism of late but I don’t know if he is an out-and-out captain other than his stats.
“Looking at players I’ve played with over the years and captains in the men’s game I’ve looked up to, clear leaders that you can see, a Barry Ferguson for example, at Celtic Neil Lennon…
“They clearly lead. A Roy Keane at Manchester United. I don’t think Tavernier is a clear leader, and what he has been in his time at Rangers is a serial loser, so at some point what now you’re getting from the fans is that whilst everything else at the club is changing the one thing that’s remained a constant is your captain who’s remained the same.
“And still there’s a lot of the same problems. So I don’t doubt Tavernier’s an unbelievable player, he’s a top-end footballer in terms of his quality, his delivery, his assists. Defensively he can always be better but a lot of that is perhaps the onus that’s on him to join the attack so he’s left vulnerable and exposed.
“I often think for Tavernier [captaincy] is a pressure he doesn’t need and it would free up his personality. Probably Butland is the one for me just now. I don’t think a keeper is an issue…
“Allan McGregor was a clear leader on the pitch and I think Butland gives you those same qualities.”
Fair point?
He’s not immune from criticism but it seems quite unfair when Tavernier is given the “serial loser” tag over others when he has done his bit in terms of contributing 231 goals and assists for the club.
Of course he has to take a certain amount of responsibility for the collective failure as captain but it is perhaps harsh for him to be blamed to a greater degree than numerous players who provide a lot less.
That said, Crichton’s idea sounds sensible, if it actually frees him up to be even more productive and the burden of captaining the side shifts to a bigger personality.
It would undoubtedly be seen by some as a demotion for Tavernier, and he may well see it that way himself, but if Philippe Clement saw fit to do it the it would surely not be impossible to do in a way that keeps everyone on board.
Arguably the best time for it would be while results are strong and some positive feeling is building up around the team again.
There doesn’t appear to be any imminent desire from the new manager to make such a change but there is certainly some logic to it.
In other Rangers news, imminent talks have been confirmed with the club set for a “vital” senior arrival.