Rangers manager Philippe Clement needed his biggest players to stand up and be counted in the Europa League against Union Saint-Gilloise.
Rangers have earned a top-eight place in this season’s Europa League, avoiding a tricky Playoff tie and earning safe passage to the Round of 16.
On a special night at Ibrox, Rangers overcame USG 2-1 thanks to goals from Nicolas Raskin and Vaclav Cerny at Ibrox.
But come full time Philippe Clement reserved special praise for one stalwart Rangers star who the club’s manager described as a ‘massive’ figure at Ibrox.
James Tavernier the Rangers centre-half
Rangers captain James Tavernier is in his 10th season at Rangers and if anyone sums up the commitment to the cause in the Ibrox dressing room, it’s the 33-year-old right-back.
Asked to deputise at centre-back after an impressive showing at Old Trafford v Manchester United, James Tavernier put in a MOTM performance in Glasgow’s southside.
Not only was the Rangers defender’s expert reading of the ball and defensive solidity a surprise to fans, but Tavernier was tough in the tackle and still managed to nab a crucial assist in the game.
Floating a wonderful ball into the back post for Nicolas Raskin to tap home, Tavernier’s never-say-die commitment was also backed up with a goal-line clearance with the score at 1-0.
Philippe Clement was asked about the contribution of James Tavernier come full-time and lauded the Rangers captain as a leader and standard setter at Ibrox.
| James Tavernier at centre-back v USG | |
| Assists | 1 |
| Chances created | 2 |
| Touches | 58 |
| Passes into final third | 5 |
| Tackles won | 2/2 |
| Defensive actions | 13 |
| Interceptions | 4 |
| Duels won | 2/7 |
| Cleared off the line | 1 |
Philippe Clement hails James Tavernier
“I think he even likes it,” Clement told the press when asked about Tavernier at centre-back.
“I heard even some rumours that he was saying to people ‘like this I can play a few years longer’.
“So yeah, Tav is a massive player. Always been for the club. Somebody with a good view on football. With an understanding of the game. And that helps in that position. He has his technical qualities. So yeah, he likes to be also in that position.
“We talked about that a few months before. I can use him as a right full-back. I can use him as a centre-back. I can use him as a right winger. Which we did also in some games. Because he can make the difference also in that position.
“So that shows again the availability of this squad. That everybody is in the squad together. There are no egos. There’s nobody only busy with himself in the dressing room. Because I will never allow that also.
”And they’re working hard. And then you will get the reward at the end. And I hope as fast as possible. But it’s about hard work. And you always get the result after hard work.”
