Tavpen- Kris Boyd explains why Ibrox ace is Scotland’s Player of the Year
Soccer Football - Europa League - Final - Rangers Training - Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Seville, Spain - May 17, 2022 Rangers' James Tavernier during training REUTERS/Susana Vera
Showing his trademark timing, Kris Boyd has nominated James Tavernier as Scotland’s Player of the Year.
The former Portland Timbers ace shared his views with readers of the Scottish Sun on Saturday night, by Sunday afternoon Boyd was returning from Dingwall picking over defeat from Ross County who scored with three goals that all originated from the big gaps down the left flank.
Since that defeat Tavernier has been slaughtered by Ibrox fans. He might be popping in a penalty per game but both Celtic and Ross County have targeted the former Wigan ace as the weak link, similar tactics are expected from Dundee on Wednesday night.
Chris Sutton had a field day in the Sky Sports studio on Sunday sitting beside Boyd, a look at the article in The Sun should provide Sutton with more content to enjoy as he tussles with the Smartest Man from Tarbolton:
JAMES TAVERNIER is fighting to get his hands on the Premiership trophy but no matter how the title race pans out, the Rangers captain should definitely be crowned Scotland’s Player of the Year.
For me, there are four obvious contenders for that prize in the top flight — Tavernier, his Rangers team-mate Jack Butland, Celtic’s Matt O’Riley and Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland.
Fans, players and managers will make strong cases for all of them but Tav is ahead of the rest in terms of his consistency and his contribution to the Rangers team.
His overall importance to the club, season after season, cannot be downplayed. Week after week, he churns out big performances and weighs in with important strikes.
Showing a brief dose of reality, Boyd admits:
Look, he has flaws. I’ve spoken about them often enough and there are clearly times when he could defend better.
Yet he has helped drag Rangers back into the title race and will be key to their chances of winning the championship.
Boyd will be watching his Player of the Year tomorrow night when his side take on Dundee looking to trim Celtic’s four point lead at the top of the SPFL Premiership.