Tavernier wants lessons learned after late lapse ends double goal
Skipper James Tavernier admits Rangers must rediscover how to see out tight games after conceding a "criminal" last-gasp equaliser that cost them the chance of a double.
Tavernier thought he had headed the champions into the Scottish Cup semi-finals when he opened the scoring past St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark in the 116th minute at Ibrox on Sunday.
But Clark had the last laugh in sensational style, heading home unmarked off teammate Chris Kane from six yards following a Saints corner in stoppage time, and then saving two penalties, including one from Tavernier, in the shoot-out.
It was the second time in four days that Rangers had conceded an injury-time equaliser against Saints. The defeat continued Rangers' long wait for major cup success as they looked to build on their title triumph and fourth-round victory over Celtic.
Tavernier told Rangers TV: "It is highly disappointing when we are celebrating winning the league four weeks ago to this. It is hard to take, really hard to take and the boys, everyone who was involved, the management team, we are just extremely disappointed.
"We have got to look back on it, learn from it and we have got to finish the season well. Throughout the season, a lot of the success has been seeing out the games when we have been to places and only been up a goal.
"We have seen out the games and built the season off that. The past two games against St Johnstone we haven't done that and it is something we have to learn and get back to winning games.
"We put ourselves in a great position to get into the semifinal. It is not just from the corner, it is how it started up the pitch losing it and then allowing them to get all that way, allowing them to get the corner and then the keeper gets a free header.
"He is six foot odd and it is criminal from ourselves to allow that. We have to really look at ourselves and analyse it. But we have got to pick ourselves up now for the Old Firm next weekend and finish the season strong."
When Zander Clark charged upfield in stoppage time of extra time at Ibrox on Sunday night, his mind flashed back to an afternoon in Dumfries six years ago.
On that occasion, the then rookie goalkeeper on loan at Queen of the South came agonisingly close to grabbing an equaliser in a Championship fixture against Hearts.
Having fallen 2-1 behind in the closing stages, Clark went up for a 93rd minute corner and saw his header clip the outside of Hearts ‘keeper Neil Alexander’s left hand post.
It’s an obscure incident which only Clark readily recalls. Not so his contribution to St Johnstone’s dramatic Scottish Cup quarterfinal triumph over Rangers which will live long in the tournament’s folklore.
When the 28-year-old got his head to Liam Craig’s 122nd minute corner for Chris Kane to stab home Saints’ stunning equaliser, he helped force the penalty shoot-out in which his saves from James Tavernier and Kemar Roofe clinched a place in the last four for the Perth club.
“I remember going up there during a game against Hearts when I was at Queen of the South and hitting the wrong side of the post,” said Clark. “If a goalie goes up at that stage for a corner, he’s just trying to cause a bit of havoc. Everybody’s got a player they’re supposed to be marking. If somebody just picks you up, it’s usually one of the bigger ones.
“It’s about creating a bit of uncertainty. It is a risk for the defending team if you take a man off from marking a centre-half or a striker (to mark the opposition goalkeeper).
“I saw the ball all the way, got a glance on it, it hit Kano and we scored. That was that. It’s a great feeling. I’ll now need to see if the chairman will give me an assist bonus! “I didn’t think I’d scored, I could see Kano put it in. But everybody was running to me so I was milking it!
“Then I just wanted to make sure we were all in place for the restart. I didn’t want Rangers scoring from the half-way line after that.”
Clark and Rangers goalkeeper Allan Mcgregor indulged in some goodnatured banter before the penalty shoot-out which saw
Craig, Callum Booth, Jason Kerr and Ali Mccann all beat the Ibrox veteran with aplomb.
“Allan and myself were just having a laugh about how hard it is to save a penalty with the new rules (about movement off the line),” said Clark.
“You’re not allowed to do anything - it’s a free shot from 12 yards and they’ve made it even harder for goalies. But I was able to switch my focus quickly for the penalties. A shoot-out can be a bit of a lottery but if you do your homework you give yourself a better chance – which we had.
“Thankfully I saved the first one and the standard of the penalties from our boys was incredible. I’ve saved another one and Ali has finished the job off.
“After winning the League Cup this season, we’ve given ourselves the chance of a double.we’regoingbacktohampden for the semi-final, which is great in itself. We’ll continue to take it game by game.”