Ally McCoist praises two Rangers players who were ‘absolutely excellent’ in one area last season

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Glasgow Rangers legend Ally McCoist has praised Ibrox duo Borna Barisic and James Tavernier for their “absolutely excellent” efforts going forward last season (Glasgow Times).

However, the Gers icon reckons Steven Gerrard will have urged the two to work on their defensive duties, with the Ibrox defence needing to be a more solid unit.

Barisic struggled in his first season at Rangers and was even touted by some quarters to be moved on last summer, but he has now made that left-hand side in Gerrard’s team his own.

He clocked up 39 appearances for the Ibrox side last term, scoring two goals and, crucially, contributing a huge 14 assists, including eight in the Scottish Premiership.

Tavernier was also impressive in terms of goalscoring contributions, weighing in with 15 assists and three goals from 45 matches in all competitions.

With Rangers having kept clean sheets against Lyon, Nice, Motherwell and Coventry City in pre-season, McCoist is hopeful that the side can put their prior defensive woes behind them.

“The clean sheets were very important because that is how you build up relationships between centre backs and your defence,” he told the Glasgow Times.

“It has been encouraging. I just felt last year at centre back we weren’t really sure who was turning out, whether it was (Connor) Goldson, (George) Edmundson, (Nikola) Katic, (Filip) Helander.

“The two full-backs were absolutely excellent going forward, do not have a problem with them going forward. But I think Steven probably had a wee word with them regarding defensive duties as well.

“As I say, it is vitally important. If Rangers can get back to the solid unit which they have been pre-season then it bodes well for them for the season.”

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There’s little more that can really be added to McCoist’s comments – Barisic and Tavernier were great going forward, but at times they could’ve done better at the back, as could the whole defence, as shown by the post-winter break collapse.

Should Gerrard succeed in shoring up his defence, and this includes signing a No. 6 enforcer-type player to sit in front of the back four, then this would go a long way towards mounting a stronger title challenge.

Of course, in wake of Jermain Defoe’s injury and Alfredo Morelos’ uncertain future at Ibrox, the front line will no doubt need bolstering too, so there’s a lot of work for Gerrard to do in the transfer window and going forward.