Pundit View: Clement faces 'Big Decision' over player who has been Rangers' go-to guy

Ross McCormack has admitted he doesn’t know what the future holds for James Tavernier at Rangers after he was taken off in the 65th minute versus Motherwell in their Scottish League Cup semi-final tie.

The Gers ended up beating the Steelmen 2-1 at Hampden Park on Sunday (3 November) and are now set to face Celtic in the final.

Speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast in quotes relayed by BBC Sport (4 November), McCormack shared his thoughts on Tavernier’s current situation.

“Over the last five or six years, any time Rangers needed a moment to get back into a game or get a winner, that was your go-to guy,” he said.

“It says a lot, getting taken off with 25 minutes to go at 1-1 in a semi-final which they had to win.

“I don’t think Tavernier will have any complaints. He’ll probably know he wasn’t at the levels that he’s been at.

“He’ll dust himself down and go again, but what’s that going to mean for their next game? Does he stay in the team? It’s a big, big decision that Clement has made.”

James Tavernier’s time at Rangers is up

As McCormack said, Tavernier has been an ever-reliable figure within the Rangers team that could be called upon.

His set-piece taking is among the best in the league but aside from that, his overall performance this season has been well below average.

Of all Clement’s men, the Englishman has arguably been the one most scrutinised and, with players such as Dujon Sterling and Neraysho Kasanwirjo now at his disposal, it’s likely becoming increasingly difficult for the Belgian to continue starting the 33-year-old.

While there’s still a solid player in Tavernier, it feels like his legs are giving up on him as he’s had nowhere near as much pace in games this season as he did last term.

There were many efforts made in the summer to try and offload him but, in the end, nothing came to fruition.

However, with the January transfer window now just around the corner, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see rumours surrounding his future picking up once again.

In other Rangers news, Tam McManus has been left amazed by a claim that a Gers fan made about Cyriel Dessers.

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The post Pundit View: Clement faces 'Big Decision' over player who has been Rangers' go-to guy appeared first on Ibrox News.