Rangers’ European campaign suffered another setback on Thursday as Danny Rohl’s side fell 2-1 to Ferencvaros in Hungary.
The Light Blues initially took the lead through an acrobatic strike from Bojan Miovski, but Bence Otvos equalized with the final kick of the first half. Robbie Keane’s men dominated much of the second half and eventually went ahead thanks to Barnabas Varga’s 20th goal of the season, securing all three points.
While Rohl continues to experiment with his ideal Rangers lineup and system, one player’s struggles have become impossible to ignore.
Rangers Must Consider Dropping James Tavernier
Captain James Tavernier, a mainstay at right-back for nearly a decade, has seen his performances dip noticeably this season. Against Ferencvaros, he was shifted into a right-sided centre-back role in a back three, with Max Aarons operating as a wing-back. However, Tavernier’s positioning during the second half highlighted ongoing issues, leaving Ally McCoist visibly frustrated during TNT Sports commentary.
When Rangers lost possession in Ferencvaros’ half, Tavernier was caught out in the middle of the pitch, allowing an attacker to break through. Emmanuel Fernandez managed a last-ditch tackle to prevent a goal, but McCoist stressed that the danger stemmed entirely from Tavernier being out of position.
“I have no idea where James Tavernier is going there. His teammate covered him, but why is he up the middle of the pitch? Just stay in your three,” McCoist said. “It’s the level of concentration and defending that needs improvement.”
Tavernier’s Time at the Top May Be Over
While Tavernier has been an exceptional player for Rangers over the years, age is catching up with the 34-year-old. His leadership is still important, but he no longer guarantees a starting spot.
Youngsters like Max Aarons and Jayden Meghoma are ready to step in at full-back, and Dujon Sterling, when fit, could be the best option on either flank. If Rohl wants his tenure at Ibrox to succeed, relying on Tavernier as a regular starter may no longer be viable.
His recent performances continue to highlight his decline. Rohl must make a decision, starting with the upcoming match against Hibernian on Monday.
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