Rangers overcame a stubborn St Johnstone with Josh Rae in the visitor’s goal proving particularly difficult to get past.
Set pieces were handled comfortably, even without Robin Propper, and Jack Butland was only threatened on a couple of occasions.
Back to front the Rangers squad put in a near 90-minute performance, however, there is still a worrying problem for the manager to solve.
St Johnstone’s biggest threat for much of the first-half was James Tavernier as he gifted possession and got targeted repeatedly and coughed up a 5/10 stinker.
James Tavernier struggles as Rangers cruise past St Johnstone
Philippe Clement is already short of options due to injury and transfer speculation, but the last thing he will want is having to make a decision about his captain.
In pre-season, Dujon Sterling started against Man Utd and kept Jadon Sancho quiet.
At this point, it looked like Tavernier was his way out and Sterling was being earmarked to replace him.
Since then, Sterling got injured and Tavernier’s proposed move to Trabzonspor never materialised.
The 32-year old has started every game this season despite the manager saying that he wouldn’t be playing as many games.
Statistically, according to FotMob, Tavernier has been one of the best players so far this season but the eye test tells a different story despite his 8.15 average rating.
One of the problems Tavernier has is that he is the face of failure.
Three major trophies won since 2015 is far from acceptable, regardless of individual accolades and numbers.
Why Tavernier’s form will always attract attention
Against Dynamo Kyiv, it was Tavernier who had to face the media, and it was a familiar story:
“We have got to look back on this as quickly as possible, see where we can improve because we know as a team we can play better.
“But we have to put this to one side and really concentrate on the weekend’s game now.
“We have got new lads coming in getting their match fitness up. As a group we are all still learning. It was Vac’s second game in front of me now so we are trying to create that partnership, and obviously Baz (Barron) and Dio ( Mohamed Diomande ) in the centre of midfield.
“We are working as hard as possible, giving everything for the badge and the team. The performances will come.
“We are continuously working hard on the training pitch and we are going to keep fighting until the end.”
It’s easier said than done, however, as the post Dynamo reaction proved, stepping down as captain might have taken some of the pressure off him.
What it also would do is allow him to focus on his game rather than the ramifications of being responsible for every defeat or disappointment.
Whether he likes it or not, he is the face of so many failures and, when his performance levels drop, the scrutiny he faces will be more than any other player.
