Glasgow Rangers had little to smile about as Celtic won the first Old Firm game of the season, clinching a 2-0 victory at Ibrox.
James Tavernier has told Rangers’ official website that he cannot fault Ross McCrorie’s performance in the Gers’ defeat to Celtic in the first Old Firm game of the season on Saturday.
Pedro Caixinha’s men were unable to end their wait for a win against Brendan Rodgers’ side, as the Hoops came away from Ibrox with a 2-0 win, scoring twice in the second-half.
There was little for the Light Blues to smile about following the game, but perhaps one positive came from the performance of McCrorie, who followed his excellent midweek display against Partick by starting against Celtic due to Bruno Alves’ absence.
And Tavernier suggested that he was extremely impressed by how the 19-year-old got on against the table-toppers.
“I didn’t speak to Ross that much before the game, you don’t want to talk too much and unsettle the nerves,” he told the club’s official website.
“He played in pre-season with us and did really well and against Partick Thistle he did really well too. I can’t fault him today; he didn’t look out of place today so I am really happy for him.”
What makes McCrorie’s display all the more impressive was the fact that the game saw him make his first top flight appearance, and he had even gone into this week having not made his first-team debut for Rangers before playing against Partick in the cup.
And while Caixinha will not have many positives to reflect upon following the loss, the fact that McCrorie appears to be a genuine prospect who can put some pressure on the first-team when they are at full strength will give Caixinha something to be pleased about.
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