Rangers skipper James Tavernier has become the latest Ibrox star to find rejuvenation under incoming Ibrox manager Michael Beale this season.
Several of the Ibrox first-team had seen their influence and talents curbed by the tactics of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, whose stubborn refusal to open his side up eventually cost him his job.
Rangers’ more tepid tactics, combined with a raft of first-team injuries, eventually saw results turn with James Tavernier amongst those in the firing line from the stands of Ibrox.
The Rangers captain’s performances had taken such a downturn from previous campaigns, there were extensive accusations the player was playing through an injury, despite Tavernier’s personal insistence he was fine.
There were also debates regarding the player’s potential and inevitable downturn in form, James Tavernier churning out the kind of numbers year-by-year which just aren’t sustainable.
But since the return of Michael Beale, James Tavernier has been given more of that vital marauding license down the right and we’re beginning to see flashes of the Rangers captain’s best.
Rangers boss Michael Beale praises James Tavernier
Following the match with Livingston, Rangers boss Michael Beale paid tribute to James Tavernier as his double helped sink the Lions in the Scottish Premiership.
The first, a penalty, helped avenge the demons of missing one against Partick Thistle whilst the second, a wonderful, curling free-kick into the near post top corner, stands as evidence of Tav’s returning confidence.
“I thought the missed penalty got missed in everything else last week there was a bit more to talk about but he stepped up today,” said Beale [Rangers].
“I thought it was a good decision from VAR, you don’t get that without VAR but I think it is a clear penalty, in terms of the boy he is holding onto his shirt so there is no need to do that.
“And then James steps up and scores. The free-kick was absolutely fantastic. I was the luckiest person probably in the stadium because I am right in line with it.
“I don’t think the keeper could do anything because it was so high up in that top corner so fair play – he obviously practices and gets his reward. He’s marching on towards 100 goals for the club.”
Those goals v Livingston were James Tavernier’s 11th and 12th of the season and his 94th and 95th in a Rangers shirt.
As he marches towards becoming an Ibrox centurion, when you also factor in his 112 assists the return of 207 goal involvements in 387 games is quite astonishing for a right-back.
Meanwhile, Rangers fans are hoping for a Malik Tillman Michael Beale bluff ahead of the clash with Celtic.
