‘Where are you?’ – Ally McCoist outraged as James Tavernier puts Rangers in danger
Ally McCoist was left aghast at James Tavernier after his decision put Rangers in trouble against Ferencvaros.
Rangers were beaten 2-1 as Ferencvaros came from behind to inflict the latest disappointment on the Light Blues in the Europa League this term.
An acrobatic Bojan Miovski strike had put the Gers in front in Hungary but they then conceded with virtually the last action of the first half, and bad defending eventually let the hosts take the lead in the second period.
McCoist couldn’t believe Emmanuel Fernandez’s defending in either half, and particularly as Barnabás Varga headed his side in front, with the centre-back facing the wrong way as a cross came in.
And the club’s record scorer was especially upset given he’d already highlighted huge issues at the back during the second period, only to see captain Tavernier deliver a prime example.
McCoist shocked as Tavernier bailed out by Nasser Djiga
In the 50th minute, with the scores level, the hosts broke clear in aces of space through Varga who was only halted by a last-ditch tackle by Nasser Djiga in the box.
Tavernier had wandered way up field and was caught adrift in the centre circle as Rangers lost possession in attack, with the Englishman easily by-passed with one ball through for Varga.
Reacting to the space the attacker had live on TNT Sports McCoist said: “I do not for the life of me know where James Tavernier was going there.
“His mate got him away with it with a great challenge, but James, where are you going here? Where are you? Why are you going into the middle of the park?! I’ve got not idea where you’re going there! Just stay in your three!
“Brilliant challenge, I need to tell you, helped get him right out of a hole. But that’s the kind of defending, level of concentration, that I’m telling you they have to improve on.”
“And that’s a 34-year-old captain, not an inexperienced loanee,” added commentator Jamie Lyall.
“That’s nothing to do with playing a three or playing a four, that’s just basic defending really. You can’t be going in there and leaving that entire right-hand side of the defence completely bare.”
49ers must sign defensive answers for Danny Rohl
John Souttar has flattered to deceive at times since arriving at Ibrox from Hearts but Rangers have somehow got themselves in a position that he is seemingly now the clear stand out at the back.
Djiga has shown flashes, as he did to rescue Tavernier in Hungary, but is only on loan, as is Derek Cornelius who Rangers have an option to sign permanently but hasn’t proven they necessarily should.
Souttar and Cornelius were both missing tonight and the back line was all over the place at times without them.
Fernandez is already a full-time Gers player but on recent evidence looks likely to follow the likes of Robin Propper in being rushed back out the door when possible after turning out to be unsuitable for this side.
Danny Rohl wasn’t the beneficiary of the hefty spending in the summer, and frankly neither are Rangers overall, with a shocking lack of return on significant investment.
If the German is to be the man for the long-term then he surely has to be backed in January himself, and the defence looks to be priority number one.
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