Journalist Mark Guidi has slammed Rangers defender James Tavernier for his role in the goal that the Glasgow giants surrender their advantage in the Champions League in midweek.
The Gers endured a devastating defeat on Wednesday night at Ibrox, ending their hopes of progressing in the competition.
Sitting bottom of Group A, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side needed a positive result to keep their European hopes alive as they welcomed Liverpool to town.
Scott Arfield gave them hope when he netted after 16 minutes to send the home fans into a frenzy.
However, the sides were level at the break before Mohamed Salah gorged on a hat-trick as the Bears fell apart and fell to a 7-1 thrashing.
Man of the match on the night, Roberto Firmino, was also in top form, grabbing two goals and an assist, including the equaliser seven minutes after Arfield’s opener.
He outmuscled Bears captain James Tavernier at the front post to nod home from Kostas Tsimikas’ corner, and Guidi felt the skipper could have done a lot more to prevent the Reds from levelling the score.
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show following the game, he said: “I spoke about [Josip] Juranovic last night not being tight enough defensively.
“Look at the equaliser Rangers concede. Tavernier, all over the place. He’s got to be more aggressive when he’s defending at the front post.”
TIF Thoughts on Tavernier and Rangers…
Do you think James Tavernier can defend?
Obviously
No, Barton has a point...
No man will know better than the right-back himself that he should have done better to stop Liverpool from drawing level.
However, as the leader on the pitch, it was a significant worry for Van Bronckhorst’s side.
It could be a major factor in their capitulation in the second half, as no one on the field was able to convey the message to stay compact and keep the scoreline credible.
Tavernier received a team-low 3/10 match rating among starters for his performance from Football Scotland’s Euan Robertson, who claimed that the Englishman must ‘take criticism as their most experienced defender’, and we can only agree with this.