RANGERS 0 CELTIC 2
In his short Rangers career James Tavernier has already suffered some dark Old Firm experiences.
It was the same story yesterday as the full-back emerged from yet another defeat to Celtic.
But he at least tried to console himself the performance from Pedro Caixinha’s side offered a glimmer of hope.
He’s convinced their spirited – and at times impressive – first- half display proved there is light at the end of the tunnel for this Gers team.
Tavernier couldn’t hide his disappointment as goals from Tom Rogic and Leigh Griffiths moved the Hoops eight points clear of the Ibrox side in the Premiership.
And the truth is by the end of it Brendan Rodgers’ men might have won more handsomely. But certainly, for 45 minutes, Rangers competed.
They might have had a penalty when Alfredo Morelos went down under Jozo Simunovic’s challenge.
And had Tavernier’s delivery into the box been more accurate in the opening spell the Colombian might have bagged a double.
So despite the damaging loss the Gers right-back tried to put a brave face on it. Determined to take the positives from their play he insisted two defensive errors cost them after the break.
But Tavernier is adamant the gap is closing. And he still believes Caixinha’s outfit can mount some sort of challenge to Celtic at the top of the table.
He said: “It’s disappointing. We never like losing and we especially don’t like losing to our rivals.
“I felt two mistakes cost us the game so it’s difficult to swallow. We’re all really disappointed in that changing room.
“We were happy with the first half. We created some chances and came in pleased. The game was 0- 0 and it was anyone’s. “But it’s the small details that cost you the game. We’re a new team but we matched them throughoutoughout the pitch. Celtic are a strongng team but we worked so hard defensively,efensively, as well as trying to create.ate. A couple of mistakes have costst us goals and we just have to take itt on the chin.
“Maybe in thee second hal f , tiredness crept in a little bit. But that first half showed we’re closing the gap on them. Both teamseams had chances and were defendingng well.
“Unfortunately once they got the goals they could take their foot off the gas a bit. We triedried to press them but this game is hardard when you have to do that. It wearss you down.
“For us we’ve got to take the positives and workk on the negatives.
“We can definitelyely still challenge for the title. We’vee got three more games against themem and we have to make the other bigg games count.
“It’s still early in the season so we’ve got to work hard and address Hamilton on Fridayay night now.”
Like in plenty of games this season, Rangers fai led to play with an intensity and tempompo for a full 90 minutes. They weree flat in the second period and allowedowed Celtic to impose their gamee and, ultimately, earn all three points. nts.
Tavernierernier refused to admit Gers have an issue with fitness. Instead he says it was simply about Celtic punishing their mistakes and Rangersngers not taking their chances.
He said: “At hal f- timetime the manager gave us little instructions, things we could add, touches to our defensive play.
“But we concededonceded a goal by notot clearing from ourur own box. Then foror the second goaloal a lack of coveringovering cost us.
“I don’t know if it’s a case of not doing it for 90 minutes. When they went 1- 0 up they kept thehe ball and waited for us to press.ess. It’s a tougherer game when you have to chase the ball down and they have lots of possession. But in the second half we had to show the same mentality and try to test their keeper.
“We should have had a penalty. I thought it was a late challenge but I don’t make the decisions, that’s downdowntoto the referee.
“I tried to put as many balls into the box as I could for Alfredo. Sometimes he got on the end of them, like the header in the second half, others he didn’t.
“That’s the small differences we need to amend. We have to be clinical with our chances because sometimes you might not get many. When you do you have to put them in the net. It’s disappointing.”
Tavernier confessed to missing big-name players Bruno Alves and Lee Wallace. But he praised their deputies – particularly young defender Ross McCrorie who was excellent at the back for Rangers.
He said: “Ross had a cracking game for his first Old Firm. He didn’t look out of place and Lee Hodson also did a job.
“The team played well and stood up to them. OOff c oouu r s e i t wawass disappointing to miss Bruno and the skipper but the lads who came in did a good job.
“Ross works hard and he showed signs of being a promising young player. If he keeps h i s head down and works hard he’ llll be a top centreback.”