'Should have went' - Pundit tells Clement to rotate Rangers man who should have left Ibrox

Stephen McGinn has told Philippe Clement to “rotate” James Tavernier out of his Rangers squad, admitting he feels the captain should have left Ibrox this summer.

The Englishman was surrounded by speculation during the summer transfer window, particularly after the Gers’ Old Firm defeat to Celtic where he was reportedly the subject of interest from Turkey [Graeme Bailey, 6 September].

Although Go Radio pundit McGinn thinks the 32-year-old can still be a “difference maker” in the Premiership, he has urged Clement to rest the right-back in European fixtures this term.

Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show (24 September, 14:30) he said: “My opinions have fluctuated with James Tavernier’s situation.

“I thought in the summer he should have went. I think it was his time to go, with Connor Goldson leaving as well, the way the season went, it looked like they had the league in their hands and the way it finished, I thought time was up.

“Then he stays and after the Celtic game, there were rumours again, would he go just before the transfer window shut across Europe and he stayed.

“Once he’s still in the building, I would rotate him. I think that’s the type of game [v Dundee] that he has to play. I think he’s a difference maker, the first goal he sets up with a shot slash cross and he scores the second goal with a penalty.

“They’re the games I would always play him in. It’s maybe the games down the line, maybe some of the European games where he maybe is coming up against quick winners, that’s maybe where I would take him out.”

Will James Tavernier exit Rangers amid Ibrox transfer rumours?

It’s safe to say Tavernier has been a divisive figure among pundits and supporters throughout his time in Glasgow, but particularly in the last few seasons as the Englishman has suffered a dip in form.

The 32-year-old is still capable of a moment of magic, particularly with the ball at his feet, yet his weaknesses out of possession have only become more obvious as he has got older.

Too often, the Englishman has looked off of the pace against Celtic. When the pressure is on him to perform, the Light Blues skipper has let his side down with big errors that top-level sides will always punish.

As McGinn suggests, that could well be an issue in Europe. Rangers are set to play the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham in this new-look group stage and their attacking players will certainly target Tavernier.

It would be wrong to suggest the Englishman should be axed completely from the starting XI, but Clement may have some big calls to make as the season wears on.

In other Rangers news, Clement has been lauded for a recent James Tavernier decision at Ibrox this season

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