James Tavernier raves about Rangers senior man after draw v Celtic

Sat 30 December 2017 17:16, UK

Rangers defender James Tavernier has raved about the influence manager Graeme Murty has had on him as a former full-back after the 0-0 Old Firm draw with Celtic on Saturday.

Tavernier was one of the best players on the park for the Light Blues as they snuffed out any threat presented by Brendan Rodgers’ side before pinning the Hoops into their own half for long spells in the second-half.

The former Wigan defender was a rock defensively for senior man Murty’s side as he dealt with Scott Sinclair and Kieran Tierney’s forays forward with aplomb.

Tavernier admitted that Murty’s past as a full-back with Reading and Scotland has helped the Gers’ full-backs out.

“The gaffer played my position and he has helped me and Declan out. We have a great rapport and understanding, as do all the boys, so it reflects the performance we put on the pitch today,” Tavernier said, as quoted by the club’s official website.

“We just have to keep that going.”

The draw with Brendan Rodgers’ side leaves the Gers in third place in the Scottish Premiership going into the three-week winter break and will give a timely morale boost to Murty’s side ahead of the second-half of the season.

Tavernier has been a mainstay in the Gers starting XI under Mark Warburton, Pedro Caixinha and now Murty.