Rangers were dominant in Scottish League Cup Final against their rivals. The Gers were arguably the better team over 90 minutes, creating a plethora of goal-scoring opportunities. Unfortunately for Steven Gerrard and his side, none of those opportunities found the back of the net. The best opportunity to score came in the 64th minute when Alfredo Morelos’ penalty was saved by Fraser Forster (BBC).
The penalty itself wasn’t great. It was hit low and central, allowing the goalkeeper to make easy work of the stop. But Rangers fans were unsure why Morelos was even taking the penalty in the first place. So far this season it has been the responsibility of captain James Tavernier to take penalty kicks. They don’t understand why he handed off his responsibilities when the stakes were so high.
Why did he even take the penalty?
— Scouser Stevie (@whounotalkintae) December 8, 2019
we wonder why tavs only on pens ?
— BritsHypeman ? (@BritsGoated) December 8, 2019
Keeper about a mile off the line. Tav should have taken anyway. pic.twitter.com/hbvPusNGyr
— Lenndo (@Lenndo_) December 8, 2019
It’s a grave sign when your captain is bottling his responsibility
— The 48 (@Ferguson90J) December 8, 2019
Captains responsibility simply bottled it by not taking it
— David Watson (@dvd_wto) December 8, 2019
Tav should have been taking that
— David Speirs (@DavidSpeirs15) December 8, 2019
Joke of a team, nae wonder we’re a laughing stock
— Tim Skelper (@BlueBuffalo1872) December 8, 2019
Would Tavernier have scored the Scottish League Cup Final penalty?
Yes
No
Others questioned whether the decision was made before the match. If so, they don’t understand why the personnel change was made in such an important game.
Tav picked the ball up and then handed it to Morelos? That to me says he was our assigned penalty taker and bottled it. I said Alfredo would miss as soon as he handed it to him.
— WATP.com (@WATP_com) December 8, 2019
Not the day to change penalty takers
— Rossco (@Rossco48681660) December 8, 2019
What do we think?
Morelos will regret the penalty greatly. Having been so clinical in the last few months, his penalty was way below his standard. Hopefully, for Rangers fans, he can put it out of his mind as they return to the UEFA Europa League. If he is on form he can help Rangers guarantee qualification into the next round of the competition.