Rangers TV pundit issues ‘ridiculous’ James Tavernier claim
Alan Hutton has been blown away by James Tavernier’s “composure” after his “emphatic” penalties for Rangers against Red Star Belgrade and Dundee.
The former Gers star and Rangers TV pundit, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted the 30-year-old’s goal-scoring record is “bordering on the ridiculous”.
Tavernier opened the scoring with a superb penalty in last Thursday’s 3-0 win over Red Star in the Europa League.
He then netted from the spot again in Sunday’s 3-0 Scottish Cup win over Dundee.
Hutton hailed the Ibrox captain for stepping up in “big pressure situations”.
“It’s bordering on the ridiculous, his record of goals,” Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“I think just his composure for the penalties – yes, he has missed in the past -but to go into big pressure situations like these, it was emphatic. That’s exactly what it was.
“Two keepers could have been in the goals and not saved them. Overall, year on year, he gets better. He’s a key part of Rangers. When he plays well, Rangers ultimately play well.
“His assists into the box, his crossing ability and he chips in with all those goals – he’s the captain for a reason.
“He’s a leader and I think he just gets better with age.”
Tavernier has scored 12 goals in 43 appearances this season, eight of which have come from the penalty spot.
He is Rangers’ joint-second highest scorer this season, level with Kemar Roofe and behind Alfredo Morelos (19).
The right-back, who is also on set-piece duty for the Light Blues, has chipped in with a further 15 assists across all competitions.
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