OPINION
Three competitive games into Steven Gerrard’s managerial Rangers career and not only are the Light Blues to lose a game, they are yet to concede a goal.
A 2-0 win and a 0-0 draw against FK Shkupi saw the Gers progress to the next round of the Europa League qualifiers, and Alfredo Morelos’ first half header gave Gerrard and his men the advantage in an away tie against Osijek on Thursday evening (26 July).
One man who has been crucial to the Gers’ success so far has been right back James Tavernier, a mainstay under Gerrard and the club captain – but his significant impact might not come in the way outsiders think.
Instead of keeping things tight at the back, the 27-year-old has in fact been contributing down the other end of the pitch and playing a part in every one of the goals scored so far, netting one of his own and providing the assist for the other two, including a whipped cross for Morelos’ header away in Croatia.
In reality, his defensive performances have actually been pretty suspect, having been caught out time and again by the opposition, and it has often been someone else getting Rangers out of trouble.
If Tavernier carries on in this fashion, he will be ripped to shreds when he comes up against a quality opponent, and despite being captain, he is actually a liability at the back.
Instead, Gerrard must make a surprise switch and utilise him in a winger’s position permanently, finding a more resolute option to fill the void, while Tavernier can track back and use what defensive nous he has to provide assistance, rather than being the one responsible for defending.
Doing so would break his shackles and give him the chance to make use of his attacking abilities – while keeping Rangers solid at the back.