Celtic fans will likely be disappointed at the news of a player announcing the end of their time at Rangers. In some ways, we should all be delighted that their record-breaking penalty scorer and captain, James Tavernier, is leaving Ibrox at season's end. But disappointed is still a good term to use.
In his announcement via social media, Tavernier covers his career at Rangers. Naturally, he lists the trophies he has won in his time there. Oddly enough, he doesn’t list all of them. It’s not as if he has lost count; he lists a Premiership title, a Scottish Cup, and a Scottish League Cup.
Maybe the Petrofac cup, or Scottish Challenge Cup to be more precise, isn’t worthy of a mention, being for teams below the top level. Likewise, his Scottish Championship title, from the second tier, gets a bypass too. As do six Cup runners-up medals. Ah well, those must have been too disappointing experiences for him to want to recall.
Celtic fans loved those post match reactions
Celtic fans will recall Daizen Maeda giving Tavernier nightmares. Along with countless other defensive slips, not to mention his frequent looks of despair and gestures at other teammates as he is left floundering out of position. His post-match interviews after a defeat, when he gives one, have always been a delight too. A prime example of schadenfreude for sure.
By way of balance, Tavernier has been a remarkable signing for Rangers since he joined back in 2015. He is, to be fair, the highest-scoring right back of all time. Over 150 goals is an amazing return. Even if you strip out the 70+ (and counting) penalties, it’s a hefty contribution for a defender. He has also scored some brilliant free kicks and created plenty of assists with his clever crossing of the ball.
Those are the parts Celtic fans won’t miss, though Rangers fans will wonder how the gap can be filled. The introduction of VAR in Scotland did slow down his rate of spot kick goals, so maybe that’s a reducing gap to replace. He has been a long-serving captain there too, and we don’t see his work behind the scenes in that respect. Although in recent years, even the most ardent of fans at Ibrox will likely have questioned his leadership skills.
As the season draws to a close, Tavernier will now be hoping to add one more trophy to his tally. It’s the Premiership title or bust in that respect. His missed penalty in the quarter final shoot out contributing to the lack of a Scottish Cup this season. He has now to hope his side can beat Celtic and Hearts to the league title in the tightest run in for years. Will he again be disappointed? The Parkhead fans will have to hope, wait, and see.
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