'Hell With Him' - Scott Allan slams Tavernier after Rangers lose again at Celtic

James Tavernier is not learning from previous mistakes against Celtic as the Rangers captain has had “hell” from Daizen Maeda, says Scott Allan.

The Kielty Hearts player-coach told PLZ Soccer on 4 September that while “it isn’t easy” to function against the speed of Brendan Rodgers’ side he still can’t see how Philippe Clement’s team are even trying to play in the wake of the 3-0 defeat at Parkhead.

The former Hoops man can’t see “any structure” in the Gers’ play and criticised the captain for not doing “the basics” after he was beaten by Maeda at the back post again.

Allan said (19m 35s): “The basics of defending are follow your runners and when the ball’s coming in from the opposite side you’ve got to open your shoulders up and see where Maeda is especially, Tavernier’s had hell with him over the last few years.

“They’re obviously not learning from their mistakes in previous games.”

He then highlighted how he would be fully focused on not being caught out in the same way if something kept happening to him, indicating his confusion that Tavernier and Rangers have not.

Rangers captain has had ‘hell’ from Celtic ace Daizen Maeda

Tavernier gets it in the neck for a lot of things that aren’t strictly his fault at Ibrox, and teammates can also share some of the blame for Maeda being in a position to take advantage.

But after the captain’s slack play saw the Japanese attacker score a freak opening in the opening seconds of a crucial last league Old Firm of the campaign last term, and he was again second best for the opener in an equally important first clash of the new season he does have to look at himself.

Much of what is infuriating Gers supporters the most about the current situation is how the players, and Clement do not appear to be reacting to previous defeats with anything like an updated plan.

It is one thing being beaten by a side which has all the momentum and is financially miles ahead but falling into the same traps over and over is quite another.

Borna Barisic being caught napping at the back post became a depressing feature of bad Old Firm defeats in recent seasons, with Ibrox News pundit Derek Ferguson questioning if the Croatian had the mentality for the derby as a result.

And yet with the left-back now at Trabzonspor the same affliction appears to have transferred the other side of the defence and been picked up by Tavernier.

He was also heavily linked to a move to the Turkish Super Lig side and an initial bid was rejected by the Light Blues [The Rangers Review, 23 July].

But with the new season showing none of his best attributes so far, and unfortunately plenty of his worst, both club and player may be feeling it would have been better to secure a transfer.

In other Rangers news, a “severe” injury update has ruled out a Light Blues ace for months.

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