Rangers: Chris Sutton shares honest James Tavernier verdict amid ‘wretched’ claim
Chris Sutton has spoken highly of Rangers captain James Tavernier after he became the highest-scoring British defender in the 3-1 win against Hibernian at Ibrox.
The Celtic hero insisted that after nine years at Ibrox, Tavernier has shown how strong he is mentally after working with some “wretched” managers and going through tough times.
Sutton also highlighted the quality of the captain’s goals, as well as what he has achieved with Rangers, winning the SPFL and leading them to a Europa League final.
Speaking on the BBC Monday Night Club [1 April], Sutton shared: “Yes, but you’ve still got to be brave enough, courageous enough and good enough to take those penalties. He missed one at the weekend but he doesn’t miss too many.
“I’ve got a lot of admiration for James Tavernier, I think this is his ninth season at Rangers. The truth is, he’s played under some wretched managers and been through tough times. I think he’s mentally strong.
“If you look at the number and the quality of goals he scores – free kicks, a wonderful volley at the weekend – he’s scored big goals and taken his team to a Europa Cup final. He eventually won a Scottish Premiership.
“Going forward, he could easily play in the English Premier League. The service he has given Rangers, the quality he has given and the way he’s led them this season, there’s a lot to be admired.”
James Tavernier receives high praise from Chris Sutton
This praise comes as somewhat of a shock given the former Celtic man’s usual reluctance to praise anything to do with Rangers, but Tavernier’s career has been so impressive that he is deserving of some respect.
Sutton, however, will be hoping the defender doesn’t get on the scoresheet in the upcoming Old Firm clash as he did earlier this season, with Rangers looking to break their winless run against their rivals at Ibrox on 7 April.
Tavernier will be aware of how big next week’s clash against Celtic is, with the result potentially deciding the destination of this season’s SPFL title, and their recent poor record will need to be flipped upside down if they want to take all three points.
Concern had emerged that he might have suffered an injury towards the end of the game, but he quickly put any worry at ease on that front.
The news that Tavernier will not be injured for the game is a huge boost, alongside the return of Abdallah Sima who has recovered from his previous injury blow just in time for the biggest game of the season so far in Glasgow.
In other Rangers news, Tam McManus could not believe what could happen to Hibs after SFA threat.
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