James Tavernier is a key player for Rangers if they are to emerge victorious at Parkhead today.
The skipper divides opinion amongst the club’s support base.
He’s often the first one to take criticism when things start to go wrong.
There’s no doubt he isn’t the world’s best defender and occasionally he gets caught out of position.
However, at the other end of the pitch, to an extent, he’s a victim of his own success. With 11 goals and 12 assists in the SPL alone, he’s been more effective in the final third than any other player in the top flight.
That means, though, that when the Gers are conceding, he gets criticised. When they aren’t scoring, he comes under pressure too.
Much of this is unfair and just because he has the armband, doesn’t mean he should take sole responsibility for poor performances.
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The reality is, he’s one of, if not the first name on Steven Gerrard’s team sheet.
50 appearances in all competitions this campaign, more than any other player, is an indication of that.
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He was superb in the most recent Old Firm at Ibrox.
Several last-ditch challenges stopped potentially deadly Celtic counter-attacks, while he still managed to offer his usual attacking threat down the right flank.
A similar display this afternoon would go a long way to helping the Gers to all three points.
He posted three training pictures on Twitter on Saturday afternoon, accompanied by the caption: “Training done! Ready for tomorrow.”
It provoked a lot of motivational comments from fans, as excitement levels reach fever pitch.
Here’s a selection of the reactions:
https://twitter.com/Cjnovo992/status/1111985157580488704
https://twitter.com/Rickster1873/status/1112020550870855680
https://twitter.com/bigblueduck01/status/1111984972087377920
https://twitter.com/tartancookie/status/1112061721789763589
