While the Tavpen stats tally up there is another side to the game of the former Wigan Athletic utility man.
As well as captaining the worst ever team to play in the Champions League Tavernier has been struggling badly in his primary role as a defender.
So far this season Celtic have scored six times in the Glasgow derby with one common denominator in four of those goals.
Celtic have scored 6 in 2 games v Rangers this season.
Tavernier looks a shambling mess for at least 4 of them.1)
Hand up as runner goes by him putting the ball in for Abada.2)
Jota leaves him for dead.3)
Shat it from Maeda4)
Jota again pic.twitter.com/GfEx5ZP3G2— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) February 23, 2023
Apparently Celtic were lucky to snatch a late draw at Ibrox in January but as usual that overlooks those pesky FACTS!
Until the double blow of Greg Taylor going off injured, he wasn’t 100% going into the match, and a bizarre piece of footwork from Joe Hart Celtic were strolling it.
After Alfredo Morelos’ pass to Daezen Maeda the Japanese forward went past Tav as if he wasn’t there and did the same with Connor Goldson before planting the ball past Allan McGregor into the net.
Once Aaron Mooy was on the park it was Celtic that did the pressing as they chased an equaliser, when you can bring on the Australian midfielder, Jota and Giorgos Giakoumakis off the bench you always have a chance.
Captain Tav had no answer to the Portuguese winger, retreating deep as Giakoumakis created an opening for Kyogo Furuhashi to net and maintain Celtic’s nine point lead with a depleted side.
After two goals at Livingston last week and his place in the Hall of Fame the 31-year-old should be full of confidence as he lines up against Jota and Maeda on Sunday.
Tavpen can hit a dead ball ,but that’s his limit,if he played for Celtic ha ha ,he would be lucky to score 2 or 3 a season.