NafisaEnough is Enough: Rohl Must Axe Rangers Dud Who Left McCoist Fuming v Ferencvaros
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Rangers’ European campaign took yet another hit on Thursday night as Danny Rohl’s side fell to a 2-1 defeat to Ferencvaros in Hungary.
The Light Blues took the lead in the first half through Bojan Miovski’s acrobatic effort, but they were pegged back with the last kick of the first half thanks to a well worked goal by Bence Otvos. Robbie Keane’s side dominated the majority of the second half too, and took the lead through Barnabas Varga’s 20th goal of the season, and claimed all three points as a result.
But while Rohl is still trying to figure out his best Rangers team and system, it has now become clear that one star simply isn’t good enough anymore and should be dropped.
Rangers Must Drop James Tavernier
Tavernier is the captain at Ibrox and has been the first-choice right-back for the best part of a decade now, but his performances this year, in particular, have been largely poor.
Against Ferencvaros, Tavernier was moved more central and played as the right-sided centre back in a three, with Max Aarons deployed as a wing-back instead. But during the second half, he summed up his campaign with a poor moment that left Ally McCoist absolutely raging on commentary on TNT Sports.
As Rangers lost the ball in the Ferencvaros half, the skipper was caught out in the middle of the pitch, completely out of position, which allowed one forward to race through on goal. Fellow defender Emmanuel Fernandez eventually made a stunning last-ditch challenge to concede a corner and prevent a goal, but McCoist made it abundantly clear that the whole situation came from Tavernier being out of position.
“I do not, for the life of me, know where James Tavernier is going there. I really don’t. His mate got him away with it, with a great challenge, but James, where are you going here? Where are you? Why are you going up the middle of the park? I’ve got no idea where you’re going there. Just stay in your three.
“Brilliant challenge, I need to tell you. Helped him right out of a hole, but that’s the level of defending and concentration that I’m telling you about that they have to improve on.”
Tavernier Isn’t Good Enough Anymore
While there is no doubting what an unbelievable player Tavernier has been for Rangers over the year, Father Time remains undefeated, and it now seems like the 34-year-old is his latest opponent.
His leadership and experience are vital in certain moments, but gone are the days where the defender is the first name on the team sheet at Ibrox.
Max Aarons and Jayden Meghoma are more than capable of being first-choice options at full-back currently, while Dujon Sterling, when fit, is arguably the best option on either flank too. If Rohl wants to make his Rangers stint a success, it’s clear that he can’t rely on Tavernier being a regular anymore.
He’s not good enough, and he’s proving it week in and week out with his performances. Rohl must make the change, starting with the game against Hibernian on Monday night.
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Qudus Salihu