Rangers captain James Tavernier has managed to overcome his tag as a “serial loser” with his recent “phenomenal” displays under Philippe Clement, according to Alison McConnell.
The 32-year-old has been impressive since Clement arrived at Ibrox, managing to score 12 goals and pick up eight assists in 26 Premiership appearances while also lifting the Viaplay Cup at Hampden Park.
Tavernier’s goalscoring record in Glasgow deserves praise, but McConnell believes the Rangers’ right-back has shown immense mental strength to bounce back having been heavily criticised at the start of the campaign.
Speaking on PLZ Soccer on Thursday (22 February) she said: “The goal return is phenomenal. I know a lot of them will be penalties and free-kicks, however, I would qualify that by saying he’s scored a lot of big goals, in big games at important times.
“I don’t even just mean the European goals, but even in stuffy games that Rangers have had this season, he has come up with goals that have given them all three points. I think he’s done quite well to come back from the serial loser tag.
“That takes a certain kind of mental strength to be able to cope with all that criticism.”
Can James Tavernier ditch “loser” tag and lift the Premiership with Rangers?
It was only a matter of months ago that some pundits were suggesting that Tavernier had lost his touch and that his time at Ibrox was up, but the Rangers captain has shown that he still has plenty to offer in a blue shirt.
As McConnell suggested, his record in front of goal alone has been phenomenal, but the 32-year-old has also managed to score some incredibly important goals for Rangers both this term and across his entire spell in Glasgow.
However, it can be argued that the Gers skipper hasn’t won enough and to truly ditch that “serial loser” tag, Tavernier is going to have to be the man to lift the Scottish Premiership come the end of the season.
The Light Blues have already lifted one piece of silverware this term and they are still in pursuit of another three titles this season. To cement his status as a winner with Rangers, Tavernier is going to have to get his hands on at least one more title.
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