Stevie Clifford has directed his “palpable” anger after Rangers lost in Europe towards a group of senior players who he says will “cost any manager their job”.
In his passionate piece for Rangers Review, Clifford was quick to point out the performance woes of certain senior players, namely captain James Tavernier, midfielder John Lundstram, and defenders Connor Goldson and Borna Barisic. He argued that these players needed to be dropped by whoever assumes the role of the new permanent manager.
Clifford’s assessment of the situation was straightforward. He asserted that James Tavernier, the team’s captain, was constantly targeted by the opposition. According to him, Tavernier faces challenges “at every opportunity,” making it imperative to rethink his role within the team.
John Lundstram did not escape Clifford’s criticism either. The midfielder was described as “excruciating,” and Clifford accused him of “towing a caravan” on the field, suggesting that he was easily outrun, ultimately leading to the crucial goal in the defeat to Aris Limassol.
Connor Goldson also bore the brunt of Clifford’s critique. Goldson was identified as at fault for Limassol’s opening goal on that fateful night, indicating a lapse in his defensive capabilities.
Borna Barisic was not exempt from Clifford’s scrutiny either. The Croatian defender was labeled as “ineffective” when in possession of the ball and “anonymous” when off it, highlighting the need for significant improvements in his overall game.
While Clifford did acknowledge that new signings Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers faced criticism as well, it was the established quartet of Tavernier, Lundstram, Goldson, and Barisic who found themselves at the epicenter of his concerns. Clifford boldly stated, “This group of senior players will cost any manager their job unless the new man is brave enough to drop them and rebuild for good.”