I will learn from my Tynecastle torment, insists Tavernier
Tavernier will take on board lessons from his torment at Tynecastle
FOR James Tavernier, the aftermath of Rangers’ last meeting with Hearts prompted some pretty brutal self-reflection. The right-back was at fault for both goals conceded during the 2-0 defeat at Tynecastle ten days ago. On each occasion, Tavernier failed to react quickly enough as Robbie Muirhead strayed infield to score from close range.
Journeying westwards along the M8 provided an opportunity to gather his thoughts. Once home, poring over re-runs of the match in the middle of the night laid bare everything that had gone wrong.
That uncomfortable analysis was followed by a discussion with Mark Warburton. Good news wasn’t forthcoming. Tavernier was informed he would be on the bench for last Saturday’s 2-1 success over Aberdeen.
Lee Hodson took over at rightback and duly impressed, crowning a combative display with what proved the winning strike. The man he displaced had to make do with a second-half substitute appearance in a less familiar midfield role.
All in all, it has been a rather bruising experience for Tavernier — an ever-present last season.
The 25-year-old insists, however, that he has responded with redoubled determination in hope of a recall when Ian Cathro’s side visit Ibrox today.
‘To say I was gutted against Hearts the last time would be an understatement,’ he admitted. ‘To lose the way we did, I hold my hands up for both goals. It was something that hit home hard.
‘I’ve looked over it and learned from it and it is only going to make me a better player.
‘I’m always really tough on myself after I’ve had a bad game. The two days after that game were really tough and it’s something you just need to get your head around.
‘I watched the match again when I got home. I normally go to bed late after a midweek game, in the early hours of the morning, because I have so much adrenaline still running around.
‘So I watch it to see what the good things and bad things were from it. That was obviously a hard one to watch because of the two mistakes which took everything else away from the game for us.
‘I was especially disappointed with the second goal. I’ve gone into midfield to close one of their players down, then the guy has run from the left-back position into the space.
‘I should have just defended the “maybe” situation and that goal would definitely have been cut out.
‘The first one was a cross into the back post, so there are definitely things I can learn from. You have to make mistakes to learn from certain situations.
‘Mentally, you have to get yourself in a better place after a couple of days. That’s what I’ve done. I’m back to my normal self now.’
Getting back in the team in his preferred position is the next challenge. Tavernier’s qualities in an attacking sense have never been in doubt. Fifteen goals represented an extraordinary haul from his debut season with Rangers.
Stepping up to the Premiership has curbed that potency, but his driving forward runs remained a regular part of Warburton’s armoury. At least until last weekend.
The questions, which surfaced again after Tynecastle, have been about the defensive capabilities of the former Newcastle United youngster. Tavernier admitted last month he had been working hard to try to improve his positioning.
Being dropped has now acted as a clear reminder of how much further effort is needed. Not least because Hodson has strengthened his own case for retention.
‘The manager just wants me to have a positive attitude to his decision,’ said Tavernier. ‘I’ve worked hard this week and I’ve just got to see what happens this weekend.
‘It’s down to the gaffer’s decision and I respect that. I was devastated not to start the game (against Aberdeen) but it gives you a kick up the backside and makes you work harder.
‘It only makes you perform better, so it was something that I needed. Lee had a great game, so it’s better competition which, again, will make me work harder.
‘Sometimes when the team is not playing well, you can drop into a frame of mind of not playing well yourself. But you have to be playing the best you can all the time.
‘I try and do that, but sometimes mistakes happen if you are not fully concentrated. So maybe it was a good time to get Lee in and it paid off. We have said from the start that we’ve got to have competition in the team to push you on.
‘Last season we didn’t have that and you could maybe go on a few games and be comfortable that no one was going to take your position.
‘But you’ve got to have that competition and I just need to try and work harder to try and get my place back.’
Given Tavernier’s front-foot qualities, some have suggested a step forward into midfield might work in the longer-term. Aside from last weekend’s cameo, it was a role he filled in the League Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic.
‘I’ve played that position at other clubs,’ said Tavernier. ‘I’m a player who can play in quite a lot of positions and I felt comfortable higher up the pitch.
‘But I see the best of my game coming from right-back. I’d like to think I’ve got the attributes to play at right-back.
‘When you are going into different positions, maybe like a right wing or a centre midfield, you have got to be up there with the (Eden) Hazards if you want to be the best in the world. So, going forward, I probably think that right-back is my best position.’
“It’s only going to make me a better player”