Chris Sutton slams James Tavernier after what he saw Rangers captain do v Celtic today

Chris Sutton slammed Rangers captain James Tavernier for his role in the opening goal in the 3-0 Old Firm derby defeat to Celtic.

Celtic took the lead on 17 minutes through Dazien Maeda, shortly a fter Kyogo Furuhashi saw his strike disallowed for offside.

Sutton laid blame on Tavernier for the goal when commentating on the match for Sky Sports Main Event [1 September] as the Hoops took a deserved early lead.

He said: “It’s a brilliant run from Alistair Johnston, an underlap that’s becoming a feature of his game, that’s not going to be ruled out for offside, the ball pulled back, Tavernier switches off, Maeda anticipates.”

The Gers went on to lose 3-0 on a miserable outing at Celtic Park.

James Tavernier costs Rangers dearly in the Old Firm

Philippe Clement suffered the worst possible start in the first Old Firm derby of the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership season.

It was a calamity of errors to allow Brendan Rodgers’ side to take the lead, which all started with Tavernier.

The captain was caught napping on the right side as Alistair Johnson received the ball and found a Celtic shirt in the Rangers penalty area.

Robin Propper should have made a routine clearance from the cut-back and Jack Butland needed to do better as the strike passed the goal line straight down the mouth of the goal.

There was much more than Glasgow bragging rights on the line for Rangers, their Champions League exit last month means finishing above Celtic this season is paramount to qualify for the Champions League proper next term.

The Rangers players will look to Tavernier to lead the side when the chips are stacked against them and he has set a dreadful example for his role in the first goal – he must do better.

In other Rangers news, Sky Sports pundit drops transfer worry for the Light Blues hours before kick-off v Celtic.

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