Beale fires Rangers warning with key man looking over shoulder

Add as preferred source on Google

It’s a criticism that has been labelled at James Tavernier ever since he arrived at Rangers – his defending isn’t good enough.

The captain’s numbers in attack have always allowed for forgiveness but the basic errors have continued to blight his pre-season displays.

Speaking after the 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim, James Tavernier saw Michael Beale single him out for stick after falling asleep when Rangers went 2-0 down, as reported by The Sun.

James Tavernier under fire as Rangers boss singles out skipper

Neither goal against the Germans, as they did against Olympiacos and Newcastle, did the defence any favours.

It was a basic error and one that is learned when you first kick a ball – play to the whistle.

“The first one, we’ve just got to clear the ball in the box.

“The second one, Tav stops because he thinks Leon (Balogun) has been fouled but you can’t stop.”

It’s not the first time that James Tavernier has fallen asleep at Rangers when he should be defending.

A bad habit of letting runners in behind him or allowing strikers to get between him and the centre-halves has been improved but he’s lucky that he did this in a pre-season game and not anything more important.

Beale is right, and it must be infuriating given how Rangers lost the league cup final to a goal where we switched off and didn’t play to the whistle.

The captain was culpable on that occasion too.

The difference now, is that there is a credible alternative waiting for his chance.

James Tavernier has been lucky that Dujon Sterling picked up a knock early in pre-season training, otherwise, the Rangers manager might have had a decision to make.

Despite the goals and the assist (please refer to previous statement) his performances have been poor and littered with mistakes.

What doesn’t help is that the man pressuring Tavernier loves defending, and prides himself on his ability to stop opposition attacks.

The captain has been warned and not heeding the manager’s advice could be costly, in more ways than one.