Since Philippe Clement took over as Rangers manager, there are a few players who have shown an immediate improvement, John Lundstram is one, James Tavernier is another.
The Belgian boss has demanded that his team are more aggressive and play on the front foot and it is a style that seems to suit the experienced pair.
In particular Rangers skipper James Tavernier has been in sensational goal-scoring form, with Lundstram praising the 32-year old’s consistency under pressure, as reported by The Rangers Review.
Rangers have “some player” in skipper James Tavernier
After a double against Hearts, the captain now has six goals in his last six games, taking his season’s tally to 10 with three assists.
Speaking after Rangers win, Lundstram, who spoke equally as highly of his new manager, was asked about James Tavernier and how important he is for the club:
“Yeah, he’s some player. I don’t think I can give the captain any more praise.
“He steps up when he’s needed.
“He gets unfair criticism in my opinion sometimes from you guys and people outside but sometimes he doesn’t get enough credit when he gets us out of tough moments.
“I just can’t speak highly enough of him, he’s a man mountain and in pressure moments he steps up.”
To put things into perspective, for Rangers, James Tavernier has more goals and more assists than James Forrest has for Celtic – in 50 less games.
Even if you take Tavernier’s penalties away, he still has more assists and isn’t that far behind overall.
Clement was keen to emphasise that defending is just as important but the Gers right-back has never been as bad as is made out.
Modern football has changed, especially the important of the full-back.
In games where one side, like Hearts, are not making much of an attempt to leave spaces, set-pieces are key to breaking them down.
And, in James Tavernier, Rangers have one of the best.
