Another Rangers game, another two assists from the irreplaceable James Tavernier.
As Rangers dismantled Hearts, we once again saw the influence of our captain on this side. Time and again Tav shows up when we need him. And not just in this desperate shouty way some fans demand of him.
A target of criticism when things aren’t going right, he almost always provides for the club. This was also the Rangers captain’s 100th Scottish Premiership game (during which he’s scored 19 goals and provided 26 assists).
For the second, Tavernier’s wicked delivery into the box was put on a sixpence for Goldson. The big defender couldn’t miss.
James Tavernier’s Rangers contribution immense
The thing is, he does it so often that he doesn’t always get the credit he deserves. This is a player who’s scored 14 goals and made 18 assists from right back this season. That’s 32 goal contributions.
He is someone who is almost always reliable, as evidenced by his immense contribution across 51 games for us this season.
But Tavernier is by no means perfect. The wingback’s slip up against Celtic is a testament to that. Granted, he assisted Kent’s goal with a perfect sweeping pass into the winger’s path, but he sold the jersey for their winner. No one will be more gutted about that than the Yorkshireman.
The biggest criticism that can be levelled at Tavernier is that he loses his concentration in big games. But he can also have a huge impact in big games. Nobody is perfect, everyone makes mistakes. At 27, he’s due ironing these out from here on in.
He’s a Premier League right back and by a mile the best in the Scottish Premiership. In James Tavernier, we have a top-quality player and someone we will not realistically replace if sold.
And that’s just it – forget Alfredo Morelos or Allan McGregor. There’s only one player who’s immediately irreplaceable in this Rangers side. And that’s why he’s our captain.
Many Rangers fans agree.
