Ibrox View: Rohl got a significant decision wrong in Celtic loss, Rangers star should have started

Danny Rohl may have got it all wrong with James Tavernier as Rangers crashed out of the Scottish Cup against Celtic on Sunday.

Following the draw in the Scottish Premiership against Celtic, in which the G51 outfit were 2-0 up before collapsing, a loss to their bitter rivals a week later is another hard pill to swallow at Ibrox.

Rangers dominated Celtic for much of the 120 minutes, and the away side never really threatened going forward.

It was a real opportunity missed for the Bears to get one over their Glasgow counterparts, restore more belief and push for silverware.

However, Rohl’s side were ultimately toothless in attack as well, and Tavernier may have been the key from minute one.

Why James Tavernier should have started against Celtic

Much of the talk around Tavernier will no doubt fall on his penalty miss in the shootout against Celtic. However, if he had started, the game may not have needed that tie-breaker.

Rangers’ captain would have been disappointed to miss out on a third straight Old Firm fixture, and the decision to bench him backfired in the end.

Although Sterling was one of Rangers’ better players against Celtic, the lack of quality in the final third proved to be the biggest issue for the Bears.

Sterling has managed just two goal contributions for the Glasgow club throughout his two-season spell, and with Celtic not posing much threat up top, going for a more offensive approach could have been a risk worth taking.

A player of Tavernier’s ilk, who has an excellent delivery, may have been the key to unlock their opponents’ defence.

Instead, he was kept on the bench until the start of extra time, with the two forwards running on fumes at that point.

After coming on, Tavernier showed what he could produce with a couple of excellent crosses fired into the box. The difference in quality to Sterling was evident.

James Tavernier needs to show why he is captain of Rangers

Tavernier is one of the only players at Rangers who has been involved in a side winning the Scottish Premiership, having done so in 2020-2021.

The Englishman must use his experience as a way to inspire the rest of his teammates, even if he is unable to do so on the pitch.

His penalty miss will hurt, but as the captain of Rangers, he must not let it affect him.

If the Bears want to have a chance at catching Hearts, who are currently six points ahead, their performances in the final third must improve. If they do, results will likely follow.

When the league split comes around, the result in the next Old Firm simply has to fall Rangers’ way.

If not, then any hopes of silverware this season will ultimately dissipate. Both the captain and manager need to step up in their roles.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.