Glasgow Rangers midfielder James Tavernier speaks highly of Celtic winger Scott Sinclair.
Rangers defender James Tavernier has told The Glasgow Evening Times that Celtic winger Scott Sinclair is a top player.
Tavernier, who is 25 years of age and operates as a right-back, has played against Sinclair during the Rangers against Celtic Old Firm games.
The former Newcastle United defender came up against the 27-year-old on New Year’s Eve during the Scottish Premiership match between the Gers and the Bhoys.
Rangers lost the match 2-1, with Tavernier partly responsible for Sinclair’s winner for Celtic in the 70th minute.
The former Wigan Athletic defender has praised the Celtic winger, who joined the Hoops from English club Aston Villa in the summer transfer window.
“I was concentrating on Celtic’s left-back so Sinclair was behind me quite often,” Tavernier told The Glasgow Evening Times. “So I haven’t really had a full game up against him.
“But he’s a top player for them, he’s played at the highest level in England. Once he gets going with the ball, he’s difficult to defend against but you have to try and stop him.
“He’s one of the toughest wingers I’ve played against. He’s got great close control and they’re the tricky ones because they change direction so quickly.”
Rangers are second in the Scottish Premiership table at the moment with 39 points from 21 matches.
Mark Warburton’s side are 19 points behind Old Firm rivals and leaders Celtic, who have a game in hand.
The Gers will return to action on January 21 when they take on Scottish Premiership rivals Motherwell at Ibrox in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.
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