HIGHER AND FIRE
Determined Tav sets sights on more success after hitting 300 games for the Light Blues
JAMES TAVERNIER has hit 300 games and admitted there is still room for a lot more ups in this Rangers rollercoaster.
The captain has helped the Light Blues return to the top flight and led them to the title last season. There have been highs and lows, even this season as they defend their Premiership crown. Dundee was a struggle at the weekend and Rangers will need to raise their game again on Thursday when they head off to Czech Republic and Sparta Prague in their latest Europa League clash. The rightback said: “Three hundred games is a lot but it feels as though they’ve come fast. It’s the overall progression of the club, seeing how the team has come on since I have been here. “We’re reaching new heights, always demanding and wanting better from each other. As long as we continue doing that every day on the training pitch and in games and getting better and better, then the club will be in a great place. “It’s been some journey. It’s been a rollercoaster. Towards the end of the stint and last season, we were successful in the league. We want to improve on that. We want to get to the Champions League next season, be better in domestic cups. “We’re always wanting more, always more hungry. It has been a great journey but I’ve still got loads to go and I can’t wait to see what the future brings.” Steven Gerrard’s side look a shadow of the unbeaten domestic one of last season. Yes, okay they might be top of the table but they are certainly not firing on all cylinders. That was the case at Dens Park and if former Rangers loanee Jason Cummings had netted from the spot then they’d have lost two costly points.
Keeper Jon McLaughin saved the day and left Joe Aribo to be the hero.
It would have been bang, average for Rangers had it not been for Joe!
The good thing for Gerrard is that they are still putting points on the board, when others are slipping up!
Tavernier insisted: “Three points and a clean sheet. It wasn’t the prettiest of games, as we would have liked it, but we saw it over the line and found a way to win the game and keep the ball out the net.
“Jon has pulled off a great save for the penalty. Really happy we’ve come away with three important points.”
Rangers might be in for criticism but Tavernier believes they are now hardened at seeing games like Saturday off.
He said: “That is the progression of how much we have evolved as a team and the experience that we have had with each other now for a few years to see out the game.
“We did that last season and it’s about doing it this season and improving. It was a gritty game, but our first and foremost job is to get the three points and we did and we are happy to get the clean sheet.”
The Rangers goal came from their best move. Tavernier set the ball rolling, Alfredo Morelos created and Joe Aribo finished.
Tavenier said: “It was great quality. Buff saw Joe’s run and Joe has shown great composure, which he has done this season, in and around the box to finish off the goal.
“We’d like to create more clear cut chances but as long as we keep it out the back of the net that’s the main aim. We go home with three points.”
Rangers had to kill the game in the closing stages and Juninho Bacuna came off the bench to play his part.
Tavenier has been impressed by the former Huddersfield ace. He said: “Bacca has been really at it in training and I am sure he will get his shot at starting a game. He’s been a breath of fresh air and has shown real quality.”
We’re reaching new heights, always demanding and wanting better from each player JAMES TAVERNIER ON HITTING LANDMARK WITH THE IBROX CLUB