CAPTAIN TAVERNIER HAS FULL BACKING, SAYS RANGERS No 2
GARY McALLISTER has endorsed the captaincy credentials of James Tavernier ahead of the new season.
Prior to lockdown, the Rangers skipper had come under some intense scrutiny following comments in his programme notes for a game against Hamilton Accies in which he admitted the team was ‘not good enough’ when put under pressure by domestic opponents. Rangers lost that match 1-0 and manager Steven Gerrard admitted he would speak to the full-back regarding his comments.
Absent through injury for Rangers’ next fixture against
Ross County, the 28-year-old re-emerged to lead the team out in the first leg of the last-16 Europa League tie against Bayer Leverkusen.
The subsequent cancellation of all football due to coronavirus meant the issue ebbed into the background but, although speculation has persisted that the likes of Ryan Jack or Steven Davis might assume the role going forward, promotional pictures for Rangers’ new home kit had Tavernier front and centre wearing the armband. And, according to assistant manager McAllister, he retains the backing of the coaching staff.
‘We trust the captain,’ said McAllister. ‘He’s a player who’s available the entire time. He’s set some very high standards in terms of goalscoring and assists.
‘You look at his numbers and what he provides for us and he’s a key player. A lot of our attacking structure — you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see where our game is built.
‘He plays a massive part in that and I like that he takes on that responsibility. We do ask him to go and go, and over the piece I think he’s a good captain.’ A former Scotland skipper, McAllister (left) knows that leadership responsibilities are not exclusive to the player who leads the team out of the tunnel on match day.
He added: ‘Game management is the big thing. Your eye goes to (Allan) McGregor, experienced in goal. Connor Goldson and Filip (Helander), not quite as much experience in defence.
‘Steven Davis and Ryan Jack are very experienced in midfield and then Jermain Defoe at the top of the pitch. They are the sort of management group at the training ground.
‘Those are the guys who have got to keep the levels every day at training. Not just on a matchday. They’ve got to drive the younger players and the less experienced ones on so that they can keep improving.
‘You need experience and guys who can emphasise those points.’