Gerrard heaps praise on his ‘animal’ skipper
Steven Gerrard has paid tribute to his Captain Fantastic for becoming an “animal” in a Rangers shirt. The Ibrox boss insists James Tavernier can go to the very top in football. While some players relax after signing an improved contract, Gerrard believes that Tavernier has improved since penning a new four-year deal last month. He said: “He’s been magnificent. I thought he was very good leading up to his new contract and I thought he deserved that contract. “He’s been even better since he signed it. He’s gone to another level. “He’s becoming an animal out of possession, and that’s where we spoke about how he could maybe improve his game. “Going forward, he’s the best. He will create goals and he’ll score big goals, whether it’s free-kicks or penalties. “He’ll contribute in the final third, without a shadow of a doubt. If we can help him in certain ways to improve, I think we definitely have a Premier League footballer, who’s capable of playing down in England. “I’m not saying I want him to do that, but Tav has more to come. “He’s blessed with a natural physique that means he can shift through the gears. When he does, he’s unstoppable. “When he gets it for a full season, he’ll be even better. He’s a top player, in my opinion.” Gerrard and his Rangers players are still basking in the praise that followed Thursday’s Europa League victory over Rapid Vienna. But the Ibrox gaffer maintains men like Tavernier aren’t content with that – they want silverware. He went on: “Tav wants success at Rangers. Now that he’s captain, I think he’s thinking about the possibilities of being a successful Rangers captain. “If he and the team keep delivering as they have, that’s a definite possibility.” Winning the Premiership title would be very difficult if Rangers can’t beat Hearts at Ibrox today. A victory for the Jambos would see them move 11 points clear of the Light Blues. Gerrard pondered the idea of it being a “must win” match, and said: “You could say that. I’m not going to play the importance of it down. “Does the world end if we lose it? No, it doesn’t because of the timing of the season. But it would be a big blow to us. “It has the reverse effect if you go and win it. It sends out a statement. I’m sure other people around us would welcome us bringing Hearts in as they don’t want the gap to get any bigger. “It is a fascinating game and we will be ready come kick-off.”