A former Rangers stalwart has delivered a scathing assessment of James Tavernier’s performance in the recent Old Firm clash.
The Rangers captain has come under intense scrutiny following his side’s 3-0 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead on Sunday, a loss that has left the Light Blues trailing their bitter rivals by five points just four games into the Premiership season.
Tavernier’s struggles were glaring throughout the match, particularly in his attempts to contain the lively Daizen Maeda.
The Japanese winger proved a constant menace, and Tavernier’s inability to deal with the threat did not escape the notice of former Rangers striker Billy Dodds.
Speaking on BBC Sportsound, Dodds didn’t hold back in his criticism of the 32-year-old right-back.
Reflecting on Tavernier’s first-half performance, Dodds remarked:
“Rangers just could not sustain their positive start. And that’s down to Celtic, they have been devastating and brutally ruthless. Rangers went into panic mode. It’s the biggest roasting I have seen Tavernier take from Maeda in a long time – and that is not just because of the goal.”
Tavernier’s woes only deepened as the match progressed, with Dodds describing the Rangers captain as having endured one of his worst days on the pitch.
“He has had one of his worst days, Tavernier, there is no doubt. Since the goal, he’s got that head-loss. He’s been spun so many times, he doesn’t know when to deepen. He’s rushing his passes now, too. He’s a beaten man,” Dodds added.
Celtic’s victory, sealed by goals from Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Callum McGregor, saw them return to the top of the table on goal difference. For Dodds, the gap between the two Glasgow giants was all too evident.
“It’s not good enough (from Rangers),” he lamented. “I know it’s difficult because Celtic are a very good team – they are in such a rich vein of form and they play with confidence, pace, and energy.”
Dodds also highlighted Rangers’ fleeting moments of promise, acknowledging brief spells of pressure in both halves, but ultimately dismissing them as inadequate.
“Rangers had a spell from 10 minutes in the first-half and a wee spell in the second half, and some late chances, but it’s too little too late. On this evidence, and you only hope the new signings will affect that, but there is a huge difference between the two,” he concluded.
The defeat, and particularly Tavernier’s performance, has left many questioning whether Rangers have what it takes to mount a serious title challenge this season.