Kirk Broadfoot was the Rangers right-back in the 2008 UEFA Cup final.
Which makes him the ideal man to consider the contribution made to the Ibrox club by the current right back and captain, who hit a landmark 100 goals in eight seasons in last week’s Old Firm defeat at Parkhead. The significance of James Tavernier’s double in the 3-2 defeat was partially lost in the furore that followed, with police being called in to probe vile threats made against referee Kevin Clancy. But Broadfoot was paying attention and the veteran defender, currently playing in the Lowland League with Broomhill, insists that a century of goals for a right back is worthy of nothing but admiration.
He said: “His stats for a full-back are crazy. To hit 100 goals is unbelievable. His free kicks are second to none. People might argue that he takes penalties which takes his goal tally up, but you still need to score those penalties. He also chips in with some world-class strikes.
“There won’t be many full-backs who hit those sort of numbers at any level. Everyone needs to give him the credit for that because it is certainly due.”
Tavernier, despite his stats, often comes in for criticism but Broadfoot feels that is unjust. He is in no doubt Tavernier is one of the top Rangers performers week-in week-out and leads by example.
The 38-year-old added: “There is probably double pressure on him because he is the captain. There is a pressure when you play for Rangers but there is more on you when you are the captain.
“I saw the pressure that was on the likes of David Weir and Barry Ferguson when I was at Rangers. Being the Rangers captain you need to take the burden the majority of the time, through thick and thin. Tavernier stepped up at the weekend and he showed why he is one of Rangers’ top players and performers.”
Despite that defeat at Parkhead, which saw Gers slip 12 points adrift of Celtic, Broadfoot is convinced manager Michael Beale is closing the gap on their greatest rivals. He reckons the fine margins of the disallowed Alfredo Morelos goal that sparked the refereeing controversy shows how close the two teams are.
And while Broadfoot is adamant Rangers have made progress under Beale, he knows the next step is to try to humble the Hoops.
That is something the Rangers boss will be hoping can finally happen this month when the two teams meet in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup. Getting back in the league looks too much of a stretch for the Light Blues but the Ibrox giants will be hoping to retain the Scottish Cup.
Broadfoot stated: “I do believe there has been progress, 100 per cent. The only defeats under Michael Beale have come against Celtic, so Rangers are not dropping points anywhere else.
“There was a gap between both teams before Michael came in but I don’t think the gap is as big now – I’m talking generally about performances. Things look pretty even and that was shown at the weekend.
“If Alfredo’s goal had stood then Rangers probably would have taken something from the game. It can be either side’s game, on their day. There has definitely been progress for Rangers under Michael Beale and now it is about continuing that.”
Rangers wrote to the Scottish Football Association looking for clarification on why the Morelos strike was disallowed, as Alistair Johnston and Morelos were both jostling and had a hold of each other.
The SFA have since gone back to Rangers to say they have backed Clancy’s call. A response that has left the blue side of Glasgow “astonished”.
Broadfoot was equally bemused by the decision, as were most neutral observers, who believed the goal should have stood. Broadfoot asked. “Are we not allowed to touch anyone now? At times you have to let the play carry on and get on with it.”
Rangers will be licking their wounds and hurting but Broadfoot thinks there is plenty to build on ahead of the next Hampden clash. Broadfoot insisted: “Rangers can take a lot from the weekend. They went to Parkhead and played in front of no away fans.
“It was a hostile atmosphere but the team played well and deserved to, at least, take a draw. It should give Rangers hope going into the semi-final. The Rangers players just have to take the positives. They have gone to Parkhead where Celtic really have been unstoppable.
“They’ve matched them and on another day could have come away with a draw or even a win on another day. That is also without Connor Goldson - who is the best centre half at the club, so there are definitely a lot of positives that Michael and Rangers can take.
“Going to Hampden, the circumstances will also be a bit different. They will have the stadium with Rangers fans and Goldson back. So Rangers can and expect will be stronger.”
There is big pressure on both sides going into every big Glasgow derby and this next one will be no different. Rangers will want to regain the Scottish Cup and at the same time ensure that there is no potential treble for their rivals.
The Broomhill defender insisted: “It is the last chance for silverware. The league is out of reach now for Rangers but if they can beat Celtic in the semi-final it would give them the chance to win back-to-back Scottish Cups.
“If they can then it would obviously stop Celtic’s hopes of a treble as well. It is a huge game and everyone connected with Rangers need to win, there is no getting away from it.”
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