It was a mixed night for Rangers in the Europa League with Steven Gerrard’s side eventually going down 2-1 to Young Boys in Switzerland.
James Tavernier undid all of Alfredo Morelos’s good work as Rangers lost 2-1 to Young Boys in the Europa League on Thursday night, and Martin Keown has taken aim at the defender in the aftermath of an error-strewn display.
After beating Feyenoord in match-day one, Morelos’s brilliant individual effort late in the first half in Bern put Rangers just 45 minutes away from picking up six points out of a possible six in the group stage.
But, thanks to Tavernier, Steven Gerrard’s side will fly back from Switzerland with nothing. The right-back was caught in possession in the buildup to Young Boys’s equaliser before misjudging a long ball to gift Christian Fassnacht a 93rd-minute winner.
And while former Arsenal defender Keown was impressed by the way Morelos led the line on the night, he has hit out at Tavernier’s decision during a costly second-half display.
“Morelos did really, really well, he got his body across the defender and he gives the goalkeeper the eyes. He’s really clever,” Keown told BT Sport (3 October, 10.30pm). “He’s really looking good at this level.”
“But you can’t do silly things and at this level they punish you,” he added, pointing out that Tavernier should have just cleared the ball before Young Boys’ first goal.
“That could have gone into the stands! I’m not sure what Tavernier’s trying to do there. He panics.”
Tavernier’s display is obviously a cause for concern but Morelos gives Rangers plenty of reason to feel positive with four Europa League games to go in the group stage.
The Colombian is getting better and better and he terrorised Feyenoord’s defence in match-day one before shrugging off a desperate challenge to slot home the opener on Thursday night. With a clinical goalscorer up front, Rangers will always have a chance.
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