'Huge player': Steven Gerrard raves about 28-year-old Rangers ace
Glasgow Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has waxed lyrical about James Tavernier, describing the Ibrox captain as a “huge player” and claiming he doesn’t get the respect he deserves.
Tavernier has been with Rangers since the summer of 2015, when he joined the Ibrox ranks from English side Wigan, and he has made 249 competitive appearances to date for the Glasgow outfit.
Barring any late issues, the 28-year-old will reach the 250-game milestone this Saturday when Rangers host Dundee United at Ibrox, the Scottish Premiership back after the international break.
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Tavernier has come in for criticism at times due to his style of captaincy, namely not shouting and telling off his teammates, but Gerrard stresses that he leads by example on the pitch.
“I don’t think he’s your typical leader in terms of voice,” Gerrard told Rangers TV, as quoted by the Daily Record.
To have someone like Connor (Goldson) and Greegs (Allan McGregor) behind him, they really compliment his leadership style.
“Tav is a huge player. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves from our own supporters, he doesn’t get the credit he deserves from outside.
“He needs to go and win something as a captain, as a leader, to get the credit he deserves but to see him on a daily basis I’m certainly someone who really appreciates having him for us.”
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For Tavernier to have clocked up 249 appearances and counting for Rangers is testament to his quality and reliability, and despite criticism from some quarters, Gerrard has regularly stuck up for his captain.
This season, Gers have won five and drawn one of their six league games, going top of the table, and best of all, they haven’t conceded a single goal – testament to the whole defence being a much more defensive unit.
As Gerrard says, Tavernier lifting silverware may finally prove his doubters wrong, and in terms of how Rangers have done this season, so far, so good.
