Tavernier remains one of the first names on Steven Gerrard’s Rangers team sheet.
Celtic icon Frank McAvennie has told Open Goal’s Right In The Coupon that James Tavernier is playing out of position under Steven Gerrard, questioning the Rangers captain’s defensive abilities.
Tavernier, 27, remains one of the first names on the team sheet under Gerrard, starting on the right side of defence in 14 of Rangers’ 15 league and cup matches this season. He came on as a sub in the other outing.
The former Newcastle United and Wigan Athletic defender has amassed a huge 30 goals and 45 assists from the right side of defence in his 155 league and cup appearances for the Gers.
He has been tried in midfield, mainly under Graeme Murty, but remains a defender under Gerrard despite his suspect defending. McAvennie believes the decision to offer him a new deal was a good one, but says he is not a defender.
“I think it is a good bit of business to get him tied down,” McAvennie said. “There’s a lot of clubs interested in him. For me, he’s not a defender.
“He’s great going forward, great at getting the ball in the box, he’s doing well as a captain. I’m not sure about him as a defender, but if anyone wants to buy him they’ll have to spend a bit of money.”
Tavernier was used in the middle of the park at times during Murty’s interim spells, but he struggled with the pace of the game. He has also been used on the right side of midfield, but his ability to overlap from right-back is hard to ignore.
The right-back’s defending has already come into question this season, with Tavernier blamed for two of Motherwell’s three goals in the 3-3 draw at Fir Park.
Despite that, Tavernier attracted Premier League interest in the summer, with the Mirror reporting that Everton, Swansea City and Burnley eyeing a move for the defender. He is expected to start against St. Johnstone on Sunday.
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