BT Sport co-commentator and Rangers legend, Ally McCoist, has slammed a senior Gers player for his display against Young Boys.
1-0 up at half-time courtesy of an excellent Alfredo Morelos finish, a win was there for the taking against the Swiss champions.
However, things unravelled in the second half and what had looked like a strong beginning to Group G, quickly became a mediocre one.
Unfortunately, the finger can be pointed at an individual – Gers skipper, James Tavernier.
Sure, it wasn’t a polished display from Gerrard’s men, but they still had enough to secure three points. Instead, they lost the game.
Young Boys are an average side and two individual mistakes gifted them the win.
The first, in the 49th minute, came when Tav was guilty of overplaying. Instead of clearing his lines or simply putting the ball out after winning it back, the right-back tried to carry it toward his own box and was caught in possession. Within a second or two, Young Boys were level after Roger Assale tapped in the resulting cross.
“That’s just crazy defending,” said McCoist on BT Sport commentary. “Just deal with it, don’t bring it back into that area.”
It was a poor error which looked like costing Rangers two points. That would have been far from a disaster, though.
Given that Feyenoord defeated Porto in the other Group G fixture, a draw would have taken the Gers top.
Yet, another error from the skipper would hand the Swiss opposition victory in the dying embers of the game.
In an attempt to clear a header, Tavernier bizarrely left the ground and tried to hook the ball away with his right leg. Instead, he missed it entirely and allowed Christian Fassnacht through on goal, who duly fired past Allan McGregor.
“That’s just schoolboy stuff,” chimed in McCoist from the commentary box. “Really poor defensively…it’s shocking from Tavernier.”
Strong words from McCoist, but unfortunately, it’s hard to argue with him.
Tav has been a wonderful asset for Rangers in recent seasons, but he had a horror evening in Bern.
