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Rangers Right-Back James Tavernier’s Stats Are Absolutely Mind-Blowing

Rangers Right-Back James Tavernier’s Stats Are Absolutely Mind-Blowing

Defender is compared to Barcelona legend for his stunning level of goal involvements.

Alex Reid

Alex Reid

Rangers captain James Tavernier has put up numbers that beat even Harry Kane this season, scoring 15 goals and registering 10 assists.

This is your reminder that Tavernier is in fact a right-back.

The 29-year-old made it 25 direct goal contributions for the season when he netted in Rangers 3-2 win over Standard Liege, a result which sealed Steven Gerrard's side's place in the Europa League knockout stages.

Owen Hargreaves compared Tavernier to a Barcelona and Brazil all-time great when recounting his totals for the season on BT Sport.

"Unbelievable, I think Dani Alves would be proud of those numbers - 15 goals and 10 assists," said an awed Hargreaves.

Forget Alves. Even Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi would kill for those numbers this season.

Of course, some might point out that neither Ronaldo nor Messi get to play Hamilton Academical on a regular basis each season. While there's also the fact that Tavernier is on penalty duties for Rangers.

However even that can't explain why, in December, full-back Tavernier is out on his own as top scorer in the Scottish Premiership, one ahead of Aberdeen's Lewis Ferguson.

Tavernier has nine league goals for the season, five in Europe, plus a goal in the League Cup. He's played a fair few games of course - 24 - but that still means his goal + assist ratio is better than one per game.

For comparison, in-form striker Harry Kane has 11 goals and 13 assists this season, putting him one behind Tavernier's direct contribution total of 25. (Although there is a difference in quality of opposition, of course.)

Rangers are flying this season, having sealed Europa League qualification and sitting top of the Scottish Premiership with an 11-point lead over rivals Celtic (who have two games in hand).

If the Glasgow-based Dani Alves can keep up this form, Tavernier will end up with about 60 goal contributions, several winners' medals and our vote for the 2021 Ballon d'Or. Possibly. You heard it here first, anyway.

All imagery: PA Images

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Topics: Football News, Football, Europa League, Scottish Premiership, Rangers