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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Ben Banks

James Tavernier tipped to spoil Celtic Player of the Year procession as Rangers captain named wildcard for top gong

There's two big Celtic candidates for the prize - but James Tavernier is being tipped as the Rangers outsider who could crash the party.

Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi have been standouts for Ange Postecoglou's de facto champions and the latter will likely crash through 30 goals in all competitions this term. Hatate meanwhile has pulled the strings in midfield but Tavernier has enjoyed some personal landmarks himself.

The Ibrox skipper again has been a regular contributor in front of goal, scoring 15 league goals and crashing through 100 strikes in blue. For former Celtic defender Mark Wilson, he tells Superscoreboard that Hatate would get the nod for him in terms of the Parkhead duo, but Tavernier deserves a mention: "I would give it to Hatate. I think Hatate has been extraordinary and I am not saying Kyogo hasn't. He has got the goals and often that gets recognised more but for his all-round game and what he brings to the team. That real drive.

"He has everything this boy and I think he deserves it. He could be injured at the wrong time though, but the two of them are in with a great shout, but preference Hatate.

"Take away his (Tavernier's) goal, 17 goals for a right-back is phenomenal, never mind if it is penalties or not. But his assists as well, another one at the weekend (against St Mirren), so there is no doubt about it, he is a quality player

"We always talk about numbers with Tavernier, the numbers he brings to a Rangers side that is second in the league, it has to be recognised as well. He could be in with a shout and I think a lot of players in the league when it comes to voting will recognise that and vote for him as well."

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