Following on from Wes Foderingham, the Rangers captain comes under the microscope.
James Tavernier had his critics at various points of the season. He was called out by some fans for a perceived lack of leadership qualities after the January defeat at Kilmarnock, as he is to some degree when the Gers fail to win any game.
When you wear the armband, you’re always more liable to criticism. Especially at a club the size of Rangers.
He made mistakes from time to time. His poorly weighted pass which led to Celtic’s winner at Parkhead in March, for example.
However, any player who plays 57 matches in a season is bound to make the odd error.
In general, he was absolutely outstanding. It’s something we keep coming back to, but whether or not you’re the designated penalty taker, to score 14 goals and register 14 assists in a league campaign [BBC Sport], is fantastic.
MORE RANGERS STORIES
To put that achievement into context, that’s more assists than Ryan Kent and Daniel Candeias mustered, combined.
Not only did Tavernier pick up more direct goal involvements than anyone else in the SPL, his defending improved too.
There are times when he’s caught out of position. Yet, he rarely gets beaten by opposition wingers and remarkably, he picked up just one booking in 57 appearances. There may be a disciplinary problem, but it’s certainly nothing to do with the skipper.
Over the course of the season, Tav proved himself by far the best right-back in Scotland. His
Transfermarkt valuation of £1.8m surely now needs some adjusting.
Amid reported interest from West Brom [Birmingham Live], it’s vital the club holds on to him. If he goes, Gerrard simply won’t find anyone better within the club’s budget.
There may be no silverware to show for this season’s efforts, but the 27-year-old couldn’t have done much more.
A key creative influence in this Rangers side, who only missed three matches all season. That’s a herculean effort.
