Rangers star James Tavernier has claimed he’s been producing quality penalties in training but refused to name the designated taker for the Europa League clash against Braga, as captured by RangersTV.
The Gers skipper began the season on spot-kick duties but was stripped of the responsibility after his third miss of the campaign against Motherwell back in October.
Since then, we’ve seen three further takers, but no one has been able to nail down the job.
Alfredo Morelos saw his effort saved in the League Cup final against Celtic, Jermain Defoe scored against Stranraer but picked up a serious injury soon after and then Scott Arfield failed with his first attempt at Hamilton.
It’s a debate that has rumbled on for some time now and the captain was probed for answers on Wednesday afternoon.
“I’m always available for selection,” said Tavernier, as captured by RangersTV. “It’s down to the gaffer and the staff who they want to select, but I’m always available to step up and take a penalty, so I’ll have to wait until tomorrow night.”
“I’ve been practicing on the training field like I normally do and they’ve been going away really nicely. So, I’ll just keep doing the stuff that I normally do, prepare right, and if I’m called upon I’d be more than confident to step up.”
Verdict
Tavernier is clearly not going to shy away if the opportunity presents itself, but he was only able to offer hints here and didn’t provide any definitive answer in terms of designated takers.
Based on what we’ve seen from Morelos and Arfield in recent times, the skipper is likely climbing back up the pecking order once more.
However, there are other candidates, such as set-piece maestro, Borna Barisic, new arrival Ianis Hagi and midfielder, Steven Davis, who has some past experience of taking spot-kicks at both club and international level.
Whoever is appointed to the duties this time around, the coaching staff will be hoping it’s the final change they have to make in the area this season.
The Gers have got away with the majority of their misses thus far, but passing up an opportunity against in-form Braga would likely prove costly.
