Rangers captain James Tavernier nets a penalty against Livingston and in the process avoids a potential repeat of the League Cup Final of 2019 against Celtic.
The Ibrox skipper stepped up to dispatch the opening goal in the eventual 3-0 win over Livingston at the weekend after missing a spot kick in the 3-2 victory over Partick Thistle.
But had James Tavernier missed the penalty then an interesting subplot would’ve developed heading to the weekend’s League Cup Final between Rangers and Celtic.
Back in 2019, as Rangers played Celtic off the park in the League Cup Final at Hampden, James Tavernier was taken off penalty duties after a run of misses earlier in the season.
James Tavernier penalty avoids League Cup Final repeat
Alfredo Morelos took the spot kick against 10 man Celtic and missed it, with the impressive Fraser Forster saving the kick.
Celtic, having scored an offside goal through Christopher Jullien, would then edge out the contest 1-0 in one of the most bitterly disappointing finals in recent memory.
Had James Tavernier missed that spot kick against Livingston at the weekend, it would’ve certainly once again sparked a League Cup Final penalty debate and offered flashbacks to 2019.
But as it stands, one of the newest Ibrox Hall of Famers is set to take up penalty duties at Hampden and let’s hope if Rangers win one the skipper can dispatch it.
Speaking after the victory over Livingston, Rangers boss Michael Beale praised the Ibrox captain.
“I thought the missed penalty got missed in everything else last week there was a bit more to talk about but he stepped up today,” said Beale [Rangers].
“I thought it was a good decision from VAR, you don’t get that without VAR but I think it is a clear penalty, in terms of the boy he is holding onto his shirt so there is no need to do that.
“And then James steps up and scores. The free-kick was absolutely fantastic. I was the luckiest person probably in the stadium because I am right in line with it.
“I don’t think the keeper could do anything because it was so high up in that top corner so fair play – he obviously practices and gets his reward. He’s marching on towards 100 goals for the club.”
Meanwhile, Rangers star Nicolas Raskin has hinted at the return of several key stars at Hampden.
