James Tavernier is a Rangers player that we won’t realise how important he was until he is no longer there.
The skipper’s numbers, for a start, are a joke, and no right-back will be able to replicate what the 31-year old has produced since signing under Mark Warburton.
But it is from dead-ball situations that James Tavernier is under appreciated the most when the Rangers defender is compared to some of the world’s best.
This season, the Light Blues captain, who has been linked with a shock move to Saudi Arabia, has scored five goals direct from free-kicks.
James Ward-Prowse, wildly recognised as the Premier League’s best, managed four for Southampton as they were relegated.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo managed just three between them.
It’s not as easy as James Tavernier makes it look.
Year, after year, James Tavernier scores from direct free-kicks for Rangers and it’s not a skill that comes without hours of practice.
James Tavernier is Rangers own Lionel Messi
With 15 free-kicks scored for the club, Rangers have a reliable right-footed taker and Borna Barisic keeps goalkeepers honest with a left foot that is every bit as threatening.
For perspective, Barisic takes a very decent free-kick but he only has four for Rangers.
Given Tavernier’s consistency, whenever he isn’t playing, you can see the players looking at each other as if to say “what do we do now?”.
Ianis Hagi can take them with both feet and Todd Cantwell is also useful from set-pieces but until the skipper retires they’ll have to make do with watching one of the best do his thing.
At over 82% success from 12-yards out, James Tavernier has a more than respectable strike rate from the spot too, especially when you consider how many he has to take for Rangers….
Finding a penalty taker will be a lot easier than finding someone who will provide an assist every four games and can out do the best from long range.
Adam Devine better be practising.
You never know.
