Smith insists Tav’s on top of the world
WalWalter Smith wouldn’t be shocshocked if James Tavernier provproves to be the top-scoring full-bback in the world just now.
SuSuch is the legendary Ibrox gaffgaffer’s admiration for the currcurrent club captain.
ThThe 29-year-old has scored 15 ggoals in 24 matches in 20202020/21 and is transformed from the fall guy in Rangers’ postpost-winter flop last season.
HeHe’s a driving force for Gers as ththey blaze a title trail and look ahead to the knockout stagstage of the Europa League.
SmSmith believes that Tav is a full-full-back phenomenon to be chercherished by the club.
He said: “James is doing a remremarkable job. I think he must be the highest scoring full-back in the world, never mind Scotland!
“You can tell he’s enjoying being in the team and getting great results for them.
“Normally you look at a right-back and say to yourself: ‘ If he gets up the park and delivers a good cross into the box, then that’s fine’.
“But he’s delivering an incredible number of goals. He’s top scorer in the division.
“I know he does penalties. But there are loads of boys who have been top scorers as forwards over the years and taken penalties as well.
“He’s got to deal with being a defender too.
“Sometimes it’s hard for a defender if he makes a mistake, particularly one that leads to conceding a goal.
“It’s different if you’re a striker who’s missed a chance.
“Another one will come along for them but, as a defender, you’re exposed to a level of criticism.”
Tavernier was in the firing line last season, blamed by many fans for the domestic collapse that wrecked the club’s title challenge to Celtic.
His suitability as Rangers captain was a burning topic as fans sought answers for their title dreams going up in smoke.
Tav’s programme notes for a game against Hamilton Accies – four days after a Scottish Cup defeat to Hearts
– featured an
admission Rangers weren’t coping with the pressure of opponents in their faces.
The accusation on message boards, social media and phone-ins was clear - that Tavernier was no longer officer material.
His scoring form dropped alarmingly from 17 in 2018/19 to just three in 46 games.
After years of being Mr Automatic from the spot, Tav racked up a hat- trick of penalty misses by October.
After the third fail, Gerrard identified that his skipper “needed his people”– a plea for help from fans to get behind him.
Neither Alfredo Morelos nor Scott Arfield filled the penalty-taking void.
But whether the job fell back on Tav by default or not, Smith says the manner in which he warmed to the task again is impressive.
Penalties account for eight of his goals, including a Rugby Park match-winner.
Smith said: “I can’t think of anyone who’s never missed a penalty if they are taking them on a regular basis.
“It needs a strong mentality to take a penalty and maybe even miss another one.
“So he’s shown good strength of character and he’s shown good leadership as captain of the team.”
Tav could yet claim the ultimate reward for surviving hard times by leading Rangers to Premiership glory. Smi th sa i d : “James has settled into playing for Rangers. He came when they were second best to Celtic so it’s great now he’s doing so well.”