Ferguson: Tavernier would walk straight into Celtic team

Barry Ferguson believes that James Tavernier could walk straight into the Celtic team and make it better!

The former Clyde boss has been out of coaching for a year and was snubbed by Pedro Caixinha when the former Sevco boss was looking for a number three.

Less than a fortnight after giving a needless penalty away in the defeat from Hibs it seems that Tav’s status as the Blue Cafu has been restored following his displays against Partick Thistle and Ayr United.

Writing in the Daily Record Ferguson explained: “I must credit Rangers for getting Tavernier tied up on a new deal because, as far as I’m concerned, he’s the best right back in Scotland right now.

“Put it this way, he’s probably the only Rangers player who would walk into Celtic’s side and make it better overnight.

“You could maybe make arguments for one or two others but Tavernier is the one who stands out. He’s always been impressive going forward but there has been a question mark over him defensively since he arrived at the club.”

Both of Celtic’s first choice full-backs are going to the World Cup Finals in Russia but having never played at that level before Ferguson is possibly unaware of the standard required to play at that level.

While Mikael Lustig hasn’t been in the best of form over the last few months there isn’t a manager in the game who would pick Tavernier ahead of the 63 times capped Swede.

Having signed a new contract in midweek Sevco will be doing everything to talk up the former Wigan defender in the hope of selling him in the summer.

With Alex McLeish taking charge of Scotland Ferguson will be hoping that his fellow EBT recipient will be able to offer him a coaching role but faces tough competition from Alex Rae, Billy Dodds and Neil McCann.