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Daily Record
Sport
Ben Banks

James Tavernier stung by Rangers 'trophies tell a story' quip as he's not at Celtic standard set by Callum McGregor

The pair have been compared - but one pundit doesn't think there is much of a debate when it comes to the Celtic and Rangers skippers.

Both Callum McGregor and James Tavernier are hugely influential for their sides, the Hoops captain on course to lift a remarkable fifth treble of his career with the club this season, while Tavernier has at times been the Light Blues talisman from right-back. Both have won a place in the PFA Team of the Year but only McGregor is up for the main award of Player of the Year, alongside teammates Reo Hatate, Kyogo Furuhashi and Motherwell striker Kevin van Veen.

Leaders at the Glasgow rivals - who lock horns again this Saturday at Ibrox - were debated and compared ahead of the game on Clyde Superscoreboard. But according to Mark Wilson, the Celtic captain's 19 major honours as a player compared to a Premiership and Championship title, on top of Scottish Cup and Challenge Cup glory, for Tavernier provides an obvious answer on influence. The former Hoops defender said: "James Tavernier is more important to Rangers than Callum McGregor is to Celtic?

"Here's the most damning thing about Rangers, there's maybe an argument in terms of goals and assists as if James Tavernier is not scoring and assisting, they are struggling. Whereas Celtic have lots of creativity.

"What Callum McGregor brings to Celtic in terms of a leader, a driving force, I would have to say he is more influential. Trophies tell the story.

"It's the two captains, two leaders, who have been there for the longest at each club. I think that is easily comparable but I am maybe one-sided here, but trophies do tell a story.

"When you look at Callum McGregor and the haul over the years he's been at Celtic, compared to James Tavernier and what he has won. There is no comparison. Influence in a team, I have to say the Celtic captain is above him."

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