Tavernier ‘under immense pressure’ from Martin after Rangers transfer
James Tavernier has been criticised over the course of his Rangers career, and is now under even more pressure.
Although he has been outstanding in attack, Tavernier’s lack of defensive solidity has seen him criticised as a right-back coming into his 11th season at Ibrox.
The Rangers captain is admired by many, but is also a figurehead for years of failure and the toxic squad situation over the last few seasons.
Russell Martin has continued with Tavernier at right-back, but the defender will now be under more pressure to improve, or he will risk being dropped.
Andy Halliday calls out Tavernier
Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday, who would also fill in at full-back, has now had his say on Martin’s current options in the position, with Max Aarons joining this summer.
Aarons has played at left-back so far, but has looked uncomfortable away from his natural position, and Halliday has now claimed that he could end up taking Tavernier’s place.
Speaking to Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (4 August), Halliday claimed that Aarons should not continue at left-back, but his presence in the squad will mean that Tavernier has to step up his game.
- Aarons joined on loan from Bournemouth earlier this summer.
- Although a right-back, he has started on the left so far, but with poor results.
“The [Max] Aarons experiment at left-back is three games too many already,” he stated.
| Stat | Tavernier |
| Appearances | 516 |
| Goals | 131 |
| Assists | 142 |
“I just think he looks extremely uncomfortable out there. I think the attributes that you hear or see, I just feel, are fully negated on that left-hand side.
“The signing of [Max] Aarons alone tells me he’s [Tavernier] under immense pressure. [Russell] Martin clearly wants competition in certain areas of the field. I don’t think [Max] Aarons is being signed not to play. So I think straight away, [James] Tavernier has to earn his jersey. If he’s got it, he’s got to keep it.”
Tavernier facing Rangers drop
Although he did score against Motherwell, Tavernier was partly to blame for the late equaliser, and his lack of defensive effort alongside Kieran Dowell was slammed by fans.
This is not a new development with Tavernier, who is now in his 11th season as a Rangers player, and he needs to lead by example in the squad.
Martin’s comments after the game hinted that changes will need to be made to fix the rot that has set in at Ibrox in recent years, and Tavernier could find the finger pointed at him if he does not step up his own game.
It is clear that Aarons is more suited to the right side, and he could be brought in if Tavernier continues to neglect his defensive responsibilities.
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