Ally McCoist has told BT Sport’s Scottish Football Extra that Rangers captain James Tavernier walks into his Scottish Premiership Team of the Year so far, over Celtic man Josip Juranovic – ahead of Monday’s Old Firm clash at Ibrox.
Tavernier, 31, is enjoying another wonderful season in terms of stats from right-back. Playing 19 times in the top tier of Scottish football, Tavernier has had a hand in 11 goals – scoring six and laying on five assists. He has been exceptional.
Indeed, the Yorkshire-born defender has already clocked up 30 appearances in all competitions this season. Juranovic has only managed 15 outings for Celtic, scoring only once – and one assists. But of course, Juranovic starred in Qatar.
Playing for Croatia, who won the third-place play-off, Juranovic was superb. Little surprise, he is attracting interest from down south. The Record say Celtic want £17m for his signature. McCoist thinks Tavernier is better than Juranovic.
“Tavernier automatically walks into the team because of his goals and assists. No-brainer. Juranovic cannot match Tavernier’s figures,” McCoist told BT Sport’s Scottish Football Extra, when comparing the two defenders.
McCoist: Rangers captain Tavernier over Celtic man Juranovic
Sutton picked 10 Celtic players in his TOTS so far – Lawrence Shankland the other. Joe Hart, Juranovic, Carl Starfelt, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Greg Taylor, Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley, Jota and Kyogo the other inclusions.
McCoist was much more varied. He had Carter-Vickers, McGregor, O’Riley and Jota in his side. Hearts trio Craig Gordon, Cammy Devlin and Stephen Kingsley. Rangers stars Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Antonio Colak, too.
Motherwell’s Kevin van Veen, also in attack. Difficult to argue with Sutton’s choices given how good Celtic have been but in terms of balance, McCoist has a point. Tavernier or Juranovic? Both superb options that would thrive in England.
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