Joey Barton played with James Tavernier for Glasgow Rangers.
Joey Barton has criticised Rangers defender James Tavernier on the Football CFB podcast.
The former Rangers midfielder, who was on the books of the Gers from May 2016 until November 2016, has said that the ex-Newcastle United right-back and his English compatriot cannot defend.
Barton, now in charge of Fleetwood Town in England, made the comments while looking back on the Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic in September 2016 which the Gers lost 5-1.
Barton said about Tavernier on the Football CFB podcast, as transcribed by The Scottish Sun: “When Senderos is sent off he makes a substitution which puts me as the middle man of a back three with Lee Wallace and Tav [James Tavernier] right and left side centre half of a back three with ten-men against Celtic and we are already behind.
“Now Tav can’t defend. Everybody knows that. He is great going forward, whips a great ball in but can’t defend for toffee. That’s why he has never kicked on.”
Stats
Tavernier has been on the books of Rangers since 2015 and has been very good for the team over the years.
The former Newcastle United right-back is brilliant going forward and is a key figure in building up attacks for the Gers, although his defensive side of the game could do with some work.
According to WhoScored, the 28-year-old has scored three goals in the Scottish Premiership and has provided one assist in the Europa League for Rangers so far this season, while in 2018-19, he found the net as many as 14 times in the league.
The Scottish Premiership is suspended at the moment due to the global health crisis.
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