Lee’s chuffed for Tav but is dead set on delaying his old mate’s title charge
Lee Hodson isn’t surprised that Rangers are on their way to the title under Steven Gerrard.
But the Hamilton Accies defender would love to delay their championship charge today by taking a leaf out of James Tavernier’s book.
Hodson is a former team-mate of the Ibrox skipper, and admires the way he has bounced back from some disappointing days.
It has been a real rollercoaster for Tavernier since he arrived at Rangers from Wigan Athletic in 2015.
There were times when some critics doubted if he had the ability to lead his club to major silverware.
The Englishman (inset) has made them eat their words with a succession of outstanding performances at home and abroad this season.
Accies hope to inflict Rangers first league defeat of the season, and stopping Tavernier’s marauding runs is one of the many challenges they face.
Hodson said: “I still get on with Tav really well, he’s a great lad.
“It didn’t surprise me when he got the captaincy there because he’s a big character in the dressing-room.
“He has been a brilliant servant, and this season he’s contributed a lot with goals and assists from right-back.
“I used to see him doing that every day in training.
“Tav has suffered some low moments at Rangers, but you’ll get that at any club.
“People say you get more lows than highs in football – it’s about how you deal with them. They make you a stronger player, a stronger person.
“It shows the character Tav has that he’s done that.
“Listen, no one likes to lose games but they don’t define you as a player because there is always a next game.
“Those disappointments can help you reach the highs, and Tav has shown great character at Rangers.”
Hodson, currently on loan at Accies from Gillingham, has fond memories of his time with Rangers.
He said: “It wasn’t the most-successful spell because we didn’t manage to win a trophy. But it’s a time in my career that I’ll always look back on and cherish.
“I was honoured to play for such a great club, and they’ve come so far to get to where they are this season.
“I was grateful to be a Rangers player for the time I was there.”
Losing to Ross County in midweek after being 1-0 up with nine minutes to go was a big disappointment for Brian Rice’s side.
They’re now the Premiership’s bottom side, but Hodson believes they can fight their way out of the relegation zone. He went on: “We know we need some wins to get up the table. The only pressure comes from ourselves. “We all believe we can turn this around and get out of it. A run of three or four wins, and this table changes so quickly.
“We’re a bit behind, but a few wins on the bounce and we’ll be back in the mix again. All the lads believe we’re capable of those wins.
“We’re always underdogs at Hamilton, and that’s fine. It gives us a bit more fire in the belly for this battle.
“Look at Livingston, who have been on a fantastic run. A few months ago, they were down there with us.
“I’m not saying we’ll go 14 games undefeated, or anything like that. But it shows what a run of victories can do.
“We’ve got some talented young lads with real quality. Experience is good, but these young players have nothing to fear and so much to prove.
“Rangers are on form and we know it’s going to be difficult. But if we’re fully focused, with a game-plan, who knows what can happen?
“Look at St Mirren in the Betfred Cup, winning 3-2. So you never know.
“It will be tough, but we have to give our best and hopefully get a result.”