Newcastle had a nightmare with Tavernier

Newcastle United‘s determination to promote James Tavernier to Wigan Athletic in 2014 has massively backfired, with the right-back now starring in Europe as Rangers‘ membership captain.

After making simply ten appearances for Newcastle’s senior aspect having progressed via the academy, the Toon cashed in on Tavernier, with Wigan reportedly paying simply £90k to signal him on a three-year deal.

The defender struggled for normal recreation time throughout his spell with the Lancashire aspect however impressed on mortgage with Bristol Metropolis, contributing three targets and one help in simply 13 appearances for the Ashton Gate outfit.

That was sufficient to persuade Rangers to bring him to Ibrox in 2015 and he has established himself as one thing of a legend with the Teddy Bears within the seven years since, together with his kind commonly attracting interest from sides within the Premier League.

In 362 appearances for Rangers, Tavernier has contributed an outstanding 86 targets and 111 assists, serving to take them from the Scottish Championship to the Champions League this season.

Ought to Tavernier have gotten extra probabilities?

Final season noticed the Englishman end because the Europa League’s top scorer as Rangers misplaced within the ultimate in opposition to Eintracht Frankfurt, which is a exceptional achievement for a defender and he has appeared thrice within the Champions League to this point this season because the Scottish aspect returned to the elite competitors.

His performances within the run to the ultimate earned him the reward of former Rangers man Andy Halliday. He said:

“I’m going to get stick for this and I don’t care however Tav’s performances have been at a world-class degree.

“He has carried out to the best degree. In each knockout spherical, he’s scored the primary objective at Ibrox.

“You’re wanting somebody to steer the group ahead and he’s scored first in each recreation – he’s unbelievable.”

Nonetheless solely 30, Tavernier is an important a part of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s aspect and exhibits no indicators of slowing down, with three goals and four assists to his title already this season.

Whereas the Toon boast a top-quality right-back of their very own in Kieran Trippier, there isn’t a doubt that the membership made a mistake in not giving Tavernier extra of an opportunity throughout his time at St James’ Park, and promoting him for peanuts has undoubtedly backfired.