James Tavernier issue emerges at Rangers ahead of Celtic showdown
Tom English believes Rangers have an issue when it comes to James Tavernier ahead of the Scottish League Cup final against Celtic.
Philippe Clement’s side will take on the Hoops at Hampden Park on Sunday [15 December], with Tam McManus’ prediction bound to upset the Gers faithful.
Ahead of the clash, Tavernier has been blasted, and English has even gone as far as to suggest that he would bench the Rangers captain.
Speaking via BBC Sport Scotland [14 December], the broadcaster said when asked if Brendan Rodgers would be delighted to see Tavernier start on Sunday, “I’m sure he would.
“It’s just happened too many times, there’s kind of a mentality issue here now, there is a psychology issue. Certainly from [Daizen] Maeda, he knows he can skin Tavernier, he’s done it so many times, he knows it, Tavernier knows that too.
“So I would remove Tavernier and I’d put Dujon Sterling in there.”
Philippe Clement to bench James Tavernier for Rangers v Celtic?
There is no getting away from it, Maeda has made Tavernier look silly on multiple occasions in the past.
Therefore, this isn’t something which Clement can simply ignore. However, whether or not benching Tavernier is the answer is a different question altogether.
His struggles against Maeda will no doubt be in the back of Tavernier’s mind heading into the match, that is only normal. As a result, Clement will be concerned, as he won’t want anyone on the pitch at Hampden Park who isn’t 100 per cent in the right frame of mind.
It looks as though the league title has already slipped away from the Gers. Therefore, if it wasn’t already, this clash with Celtic is a must-win.
Clement is under severe pressure, and beating the Hoops in a cup final could go a long way in helping him to turn the tide at Ibrox.
However, alternatively, if the Belgian is to bench the club captain in a match as big as this and then go on to lose, serious questions will be asked.
Therefore, it looks as though Clement has a very big decision on his hands.
In other Rangers news, David Edgar has shared a three-word reaction to a behind-the-scenes change.
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