A difficult decision by Steven Gerrard?
With Rangers’ latest confirmed signing today of Jon Flanagan, it has raised a few questions with regards Rangers’ intentions over established right back James Tavernier.
As we know while Tavernier gained many plaudits last season for his enterprising and full-blooded attacking play, the defensive side of his game remains fragile. He is no slouch when it comes to defensive play, but the former Wigan man is frequently caught out of position and struggles to retreat in time, exposing defence.
Last season Rangers had Daniel Candeias who would frequently cover for him, but given the goals against column, this is clearly not a good enough solution.
Enter Flanagan – many Rangers fans have long believed Tavernier would suit much better as an out and out winger, without really having to worry as much about defence, and it could just be that Steven Gerrard now has that vision for the team.
With Flanagan as the right back and Tavernier competing with Candeias for the right wing slot, Rangers’ setup would look much more organic, rather than Tavernier’s inconsistency defensive wise on the right.
This would leave Rangers robust on that flank, with a firmly-established RB in the side while in front of him Tavernier and Candeias fight it out for the shirt as winger.
Assistant coach Gary McAllister has confirmed Tavernier will still ‘be key for us’ next season, which could suggest the management are looking to reshape how he fits in.
Because there is simply no way an England international has been signed to sit on the bench.
Rangers certainly need quality in depth, that is for sure. But signings like Flanagan are being made to take the club forward and up, even if this particular one may have divided fans a little.
For what it’s worth, Steven Gerrard is going to make a lot of decisions – not all of them will be universally popular. But as long as the results on the pitch match up, we have no quarrel with that.
Yes, that’s right, a second poll within a poll. It’s Inception all over again…