Billy Dodds shares ‘Incredible’ James Tavernier verdict after BBC Sportscene footage
Rangers captain James Tavernier’s own goal against Kilmarnock was called “incredible” by Billy Dodds after he inadvertently gave the visitors a lead at Ibrox.
Speaking on Sportscene for BBC Scotland, the former Bears striker said Tavernier’s accidental diversion of Matty Kennedy’s effort into his own net was “bizarre.”
Thankfully, Rangers went on to win the game 4-1 with Fabio Silva, Ben Davies, Tom Lawrence and John Souttar finding the back of the net.
On the incident, Dodds said: “Probably would’ve been a penalty as it’s hitting his hand anyway, it’s going in, but bizarre.”
He gave Kennedy some credit too: “Brilliant delivery though, he’s tried to take it with the left boot, he’s kicked it into his right boot, and it’s ended up in the net off Tavernier’s hand. Incredible stuff.”
Rangers skipper Tavernier has first half to forget v Kilmarnock
Rangers couldn’t have gotten off to a much worse start against Kilmarnock, with Cyriel Dessers having a goal disallowed for offside at one end just minutes before Tavernier accidentally put one past his goalkeeper at the other.
The Gers skipper had a golden opportunity to restore confidence in both himself and his team with a penalty kick after Kilmarnock defender Joe Wright was shown a straight red card for a blatant handball in the box.
Tavernier couldn’t take advantage though, as Killie keeper Will Dennis got down to brilliantly save his spot-kick, and it looked like being another one of those afternoons for Rangers with their title tilt in jeopardy.
However, Philippe Clement’s side rallied right at the end of the first half and equalised through the much-maligned Silva, before scoring three more times without reply in the second half to put a frenetic first 45 behind them and cruise to a comfortable 4-1 victory.
Comfortable? On the scoreboard, yes, but Tavernier will need to get over his first-half horror show as quickly as possible if the Gers are to have any chance of toppling Celtic in next weekend’s Old Firm showdown.
In other Rangers news, Derek Ferguson says the club have no chance of the title this season.
For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.