Rangers skipper James Tavernier faced sharp criticism from pundit Chris Sutton for his lackadaisical defending in the recent Old Firm clash against Celtic. The Light Blues missed out on the chance to claim the summit of the Scottish Premiership as they settled for a 3-3 draw with the Hoops, thanks to Rabbi Matondo’s late equalizer.

The tone was set early on when Celtic’s Daizen Maeda capitalized on Tavernier’s sluggishness, netting a quick goal that left Rangers playing catch-up. Sutton did not hold back in his assessment of Tavernier’s performance, highlighting his casual approach in possession that led to the opening goal.

While Tavernier managed to redeem himself with a goal of his own, his defensive lapses have raised doubts about Rangers’ ability to secure the league title. In crucial encounters like the Old Firm derby, top players like Tavernier must step up and deliver consistently, rather than being prone to costly mistakes.

Despite Tavernier’s usual reliability this season, such errors could undermine Rangers’ aspirations for silverware. Moving forward, Tavernier must quickly bounce back from this setback and showcase the resilience needed to push Rangers towards success in the remainder of the campaign. One mistake should not define their season, but it serves as a reminder of the fine margins in high-stakes matches.