In a brutal assessment following Rangers’ 3-0 defeat to Celtic at Celtic Park, former Ibrox fan-favorite did not hold back in criticizing James Tavernier’s disappointing performance. The Rangers skipper found himself struggling against the threat posed by Hoops winger Daizen Maeda, showcasing his side’s overall struggle in the Glasgow clash.

Billy Dodds, the ex-Gers striker, did not mince his words while expressing his disappointment with Tavernier’s display during a fiery rant on BBC Sportsound. Dodds highlighted Tavernier’s inability to contain Maeda and his uncharacteristically poor performance, emphasizing the impact it had on the team’s overall game plan.

Reflecting on Tavernier’s struggles, Dodds remarked, “Rangers just couldn’t keep up their positive momentum. Tavernier, in particular, was constantly bested by Maeda, leading to a sense of panic within the team. It was one of Tavernier’s toughest days on the field, and his performance post-goal reflected his frustration and inability to control the game. It was evident that he was outplayed and out of his depth.”

With goals from Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Callum McGregor securing Celtic’s victory and return to the top of the league, Dodds expressed his disappointment in Rangers’ overall performance. Acknowledging Celtic’s strong form and style of play, Dodds emphasized the need for improvement within the Rangers squad to match their arch-rivals’ level.

Dodds concluded, “Rangers’ performance today was simply not up to the mark. While facing a formidable opponent like Celtic is challenging, Rangers need to step up their game. The disparity in quality between the two teams was evident, and unless Rangers make significant improvements, closing that gap will be a daunting task.”