James Tavernier was singled out for blame after Rangers fell behind to Falkirk in Sunday’s Scottish Premiership clash.

Ben Broggio put John McGlynn’s side ahead inside six minutes at Falkirk Stadium as he profited from some poor defending.

Calvin Miller was played in down the Falkirk left and crossed the ball into the middle for Broggio to calmly convert past Jack Butland.

Jayden Meghoma somehow failed to cut the ball out in what was some horrific defending all-round from the Gers.

But it was Tavernier who Kevin Thomson had a dig at as he covered the clash at Falkirk Stadium for BBC Scotland, with Rangers going into half-time 2-1 down.

Rangers undone by high line

Rangers were strong favourites to overcome Falkirk and put pressure back on Hearts, but Danny Rohl‘s men made a dreadful start to the contest.

Falkirk had a clear tactic to play the ball in behind down the flanks, especially Tavernier’s side, and that tactic paid off for Broggio’s opener.

Falkirk vs Rangers first-half stats“I can’t believe it,” Thomson said in the aftermath of the goal. “I don’t know why Tavernier is starting so high up the pitch. It’s definitely something they’ve looked to exploit.

“And what a finish from Broggio – it’s great composure when it would be so easy to slash at it.”

Thomson was right in that Tavernier was caught out, but it is harsh to solely blame the long-serving Gers defender.

Tavernier is an easy target, but he was just following the instructions passed down to him by Rohl to start high up the pitch.

The Gers had a couple of chances to prevent the goal from that point, but Miller was allowed to get the cross in and it somehow mad its way to Broggio.

Rohl has worked wonders as Rangers boss, but his tactical approach to the clash with Falkirk was all wrong and he was to blame for the dreadful first-half showing.

Rangers’ attackers also deserve slice of blame

Finn Yeats’ first-time drive past Butland, after yet more dreadful Rangers defending, only heightened the visiting fans’ frustrations.

But the likes of Mikey Moore, Youssef Chermiti and Thelo Aasgaard were also dreadful, failing to offer much of anything in the final third.

For all the good work from Rohl and Rangers in recent times, this first-half showing against Falkirk was about 10 steps back.

Tochi Chukwuani may have pulled one back – it was hardly deserved – but Rangers were a million miles off the levels expected.

And with every last point counting at this stage, this may well be the day the Gers chucked away a glorious chance to strike a massive blow in the three-way title tussle.

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