It was only this summer that Rangers captain James Tavernier was being lauded as a club legend and handed a new contract with the club.
The flying right-back has been a sensational servant to the Ibrox side over his seven years in Glasgow and there is no doubt that a few more trophies will forever immortalise the current Gers skipper.
But this season hasn’t seen James Tavernier perform at his absolute best as niggling injury problems appear to hold the 30-year-old back.
However, it’s Rangers who suffer most from this and the Ibrox side need more from their skipper – particularly in the big games – with James Tavernier regularly posted missing this season.
Hammered at Celtic Park, hooked in Amsterdam and now seemingly humiliated at Anfield, the Rangers captain hasn’t quite been at his best or his fittest and it’s telling in the stats.
In the first half of the 2-0 defeat to the Premier League giants, James Tavernier reportedly lost the ball more times that he made a pass.
It sums up what’s been a difficult campaign for Tav at European level so far but there is still time for the skipper to turn things around in the final three group games.
Gaffer Giovanni van Bronckhorst has set Tavernier and his teammates to take the European campaign to the final game against Ajax at Ibrox.
“It’s a very, very difficult group with teams from a high level,” said van Bronckhorst [Rangers].
“You see big defeats in this group stage and that means results have to come our way in the next two games.
“That’s the only thing we can have still. The chance to play Ajax in the last game with a chance to qualify for Europe after the break.”
If Rangers stand any chance of securing Europa League football in this group they will need their captain to put in bigger performances on this stage.
Meanwhile, one Ibrox international has been on the receiving end of criticism for a perceived lack of commitment at Rangers.
