Rangers captain James Tavernier put in an abject performance in the 3-1 defeat to Ajax on Tuesday night.
The 30-year-old may have scored from the penalty spot, but he was caught out for Ajax’s opener, while his crossing from corners and open play was awful.
Tavernier has struggled for most of the campaign and, while he was by no means the only poor performer yesterday evening, fans on Twitter have singled him out for criticism:
His performances have been dismal to say the least.
— Alan Hunter (@Alanhunter1956) November 2, 2022
Shocking. In the CL he has has been as grim as it gets. Has he passed the ball to a Rangers player yet in six matches.
— Ricky Forbes (@Ricky9Forbes) November 1, 2022
He’s a liability in all competitions
— Ronnie Auld (@RonnieAuld2) November 1, 2022
Had to set the tone and keep it tight. Loses his man 5 minutes in and sells a goal.
Even the first half against Aberdeen he was the worst player on the park
— JamieT (@jpt0692) November 1, 2022
I’ve honestly no words for James Tavernier’s performances this season.
Utterly pathetic to say the least
— 🇬🇧 cozy1872 🇬🇧 (@cozy1872) November 1, 2022
A shadow of the captain & player he used to be 💙🇬🇧💙
— Allan Davidson (@AllanDa1969) November 1, 2022
He knows he plays every week that can’t be a good thing he been woeful all season
— james stirling (@jamesst50264523) November 1, 2022
Horrendous
— Zander (@Zanderbjk) November 1, 2022
If you look at the fullback’s stats this season, they don’t look particularly bad. Six goals and five assists in 23 appearances is not a poor return.
However, Tavernier’s performances in the biggest matches have been found wanting. He has not led by example in the Champions League, where they have now become the worst team to ever play in the group stage after their sixth consecutive defeat. His displays are symptomatic of a much larger malaise that has consumed the Gers in recent months.