Rangers: Ally McCoist compares James Tavernier to ‘brilliant’ Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold live on talkSPORT
Ally McCoist has compared the Rangers captain James Tavernier to Liverpool defender Trent Alexander Arnold live on air.
Speaking on talkSPORT on Wednesday (10 January, (07:43am), host Alan Brazil said he wishes people would stop giving England international Alexander-Arnold “stick” about his “poor defending”.
That is something pundit McCoist said he’s been “guilty of” in the past, suggesting the Premier League right-back’s situation is similar to that of the Gers defender Tavernier, with people preferring to question their defensive qualities rather than their “brilliant” play going forward.
Discussing Alexander-Arnold, Brazil said: “Great delivery, fullback or midfield. I said before I wish people would stop giving him stick about his poor defending. Just let him get on with his game.”
“I’ve been guilty of it as well, I’ve got to be honest,” responded McCoist. “A little bit the same with Tavernier at Rangers.
“People will question, the same with Trent, their defensive qualities rather than look at what they are not good at, but actually what they’re brilliant at – and that is going forward. I mean Trent’s delivery is absolutely first-class.”
On another level
There are definitely comparisons to be drawn between Tavernier and Alexander-Arnold as they’re both absolutely exceptional on the ball and possess great quality.
The 32-year-old Gers captain has provided the goods for his side going forward for a number of years and it’s no different for him in this campaign, having registered a remarkable 16 goals and six assists in 33 appearances.
While Alexander-Arnold hasn’t put up those kinds of numbers for Liverpool, the 25-year-old often wows fans and pundits with his passing ability and delivery on set pieces.
There have been question marks about the English pair defensively in recent years, but there is no doubt that their attacking play outweighs the negatives.
The success both clubs have achieved during the time they have been representing them probably wouldn’t have been possible without those players in their side.
In other Rangers news, a Sky Sports pundit has shared who would be a “terrific” signing for the Gers.