Pundit stunned by ‘incredible’ Tavernier & Shankland moment after Sportscene footage of Rangers

Peter Grant has slammed James Tavernier for his defending against Hearts that allowed Lawrence Shankland to score for Hearts against Rangers on Saturday (18 May).

The Maroons striker was sent through on goal and was able to cooly chip over Jack Butland to open the scoring.

Tavernier was caught high up the pitch which afforded the striker plenty of space and has since been slammed by Grant speaking on BBC Sportscene (18 May).

He said: “They give the ball away cheaply. It’s a fantastic finish by Lawrence Shankland but you’ve got to look at it defensively.

“Tavernier again, I said that about the back post area. He’s like a right winger and the space he’s left between him and the centre-backs is incredible.”

Not good enough from James Tavernier for Rangers

The Englishman has an undoubted amount of quality when going forward but in this case, it was his defensive ability to let the Gers down.

Shankland has been a dangerman all season and as a result needed to be treated with defensive respect by the Light Blues.

Rangers gave the ball away on the halfway line and in reaction to this, Tavernier decided to step up the pitch as opposed to drop deeper.

This afforded the striker all the room in Tynecastle Park as he bared down on goal before dinking the ball over Butland.

It must be said that Tavernier should have realised the danger given his experience and dropped back alongside Leon King and Ben Davies.

The Gers’ captain didn’t manage to have any form of attacking influence on the game with a goal or an assist either.

He was at fault for the first goal before Philippe Clement’s side conceded another two, including a 95th-minute Kyosuke Tagawa equaliser.

Tavernier must do better as Rangers prepare to face Celtic in the Scottish Cup final.

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