Rangers' James Tavernier determined to learn Hearts lesson

By PA Sport

Saturday 10 December 2016 07:37, UK

Rangers right-back James Tavernier has vowed to learn from his Tynecastle nightmare - but insists he will never completely rein in his attacking instincts.

The Englishman was at fault for both Hearts goals when Gers slumped to a 2-0 defeat on November 30.

He twice allowed Robbie Muirhead to sneak in behind him and beat Wes Foderingham but the former Newcastle and Wigan full-back has promised he will not be caught out again after poring over replays of his costly lapses in concentration.

However, Tavernier - who hit 15 goals from his defensive slot last term - believes it would be the wrong option to curb his forays forward for good.

He said: "It took me a couple of days to get my head around what happened. It's devastating to go there and lose, especially with the two goals being my fault. I've looked over the goals a few times and it wasn't easy to watch.

"But these are the things you learn from and I have. I've taken it on board but at the same time, you can't take too many things away from your own game.

"You can adapt to it but this one has taught me to be a bit more aware of what is happening around me.

"For the second goal, I've not seen the man and he has run from left-back to score. I probably shouldn't have pressured the ball in the midfield and concentrated on defending in behind me.

"It's about getting the balance to my game right. Before the Hearts game I felt I'd been defending really well this season. But I can clearly see both goals at Tynecastle were my fault. I will hold my hands up to that but it will only make me a stronger player if I learn from it."

Tavernier paid the price for his part in that Tynecastle setback as he was left out of the side which faced Aberdeen last Saturday.

To make matters worse, the man who took his slot - Lee Hodson - fired the crucial second goal in a 2-1 win over the Dons.

But Tavernier is ready to fight for his place in Mark Warburton's line-up as Gers prepare for a rematch with the Jambos at Ibrox on Saturday.

"I am definitely working hard to get back in the team," he said. "It's obviously disappointing when you don't play from the start but you have to take these things in the positive way.

"I know that my performance against Hearts was under-normal for me, and it was definitely a wake-up call. You have to utilise the squad if the team is not performing and if I am not performing then I don't expect to be in the team.

"It's down to the gaffer whoever he picks for the game against Hearts. All you can do is respond in the positive way."

Last week's win over Derek McInnes' men was the first time this season Gers have managed to topple top-six opposition.

He said: "We've got a lot to prove against everybody. We know we've not hit the heights that we had wanted to. We have shown glimpses of a performance at times but it's about getting those three points first and foremost.

"We definitely want to get the win this weekend. It was obviously a big blow when we lost to Hearts at their place but we want to set things right this time.

"We've not been beaten at home for a long time so we're in a good frame of mind and full of confidence going into this game."

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