No one person really sums up the dominance Celtic have enjoyed over Rangers in the last six years more than James Tavernier.
The Rangers captain has been there from the start of their promotion to the Scottish Premiership and the subsequent humiliations that followed under Brendan Rodgers.
Now, normal service has resumed again and he’s staring down the barrel at another barren period against Celtic.
Today’s result was remarkably his 15th defeat in 24 attempts against the Bhoys. [Transfermarkt]
Right now, you wouldn’t bet against numbers 16 and 17 following in short order over the next few weeks.
After today’s 2-1 defeat he sounded despondent, telling Rangers TV: “Obviously we’re really disappointed. It’s not the result we wanted, we said we wanted the three points and nothing less. We started really well, we get the goal, but the first attack they get, they score.
“Both goals, we’ve reflected on them and we’re really disappointed with them for our standards. We tried to ask questions and just weren’t clinical enough in the final third.
“It’s not going to sit right for us but we’ve got to do our utmost to get the results until the end of the season.”
To me, it’s pretty incredible that some Rangers supporters consider this guy a legend. He is emblematic of their struggles over the last few years, even if they won the title in the year fans weren’t allowed into stadiums.
Nothing about him inspires confidence. Celtic have a team of leaders right now from Callum McGregor to Joe Hart to Tom Rogic. Rangers can barely even muster one through Tavernier.
For me, if our rivals keep guys like this around next season then it’s only going to play into our hands. He’s been a more productive captain for Celtic than Rangers.
Fingers crossed for more disappointment soon.
In other news, Video: Celtic players and staff dodge FT thrown objects amidst class celebration scenes.
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