THERE couldn’t have been anyone more relieved than Lee Hodson to learn that James Tavernier’s return to the Rangers line-up last weekend would be in an unfamiliar midfield role.
Hodson had been the main beneficiary of Tavernier’s poor performance at Tynecastle a fortnight ago, the Northern Irish international starting at right-back against Aberdeen with Tavernier despatched to the subs bench.
Hodson has been sparingly this season since his summer move from MK Dons but a solid, goalscoring display in that game obviously impressed manager Mark Warburton who retained him at right-back for the re-match with Hearts.
Tavernier would also start, but this time in an advanced central midfield role that allowed him to get forward without worrying about leaving the door ajar at the back as has often been his undoing in the past.
Read more: Playing the long game: Why going direct has paid off for Rangers and Mark Warburton
Rangers will look to win a third successive league match for the first time this season when they head to Hamilton Academical this evening and Hodson hopes to be involved once more.
“Every player wants game time but I knew I was coming here with two top quality full backs in front of me so I knew it was always going to be difficult to come in and start playing straight away,” he admitted. “I knew I’d have to come here, work hard and eventually get my chance and I’m enjoying my time in the team at the moment.
“I have to keep performing to the highest level I can and stay in the team. I’m enjoying my time in the team and I must continue to work hard on the training pitch and try to keep my performance level as high as possible.
Read more: Playing the long game: Why going direct has paid off for Rangers and Mark Warburton
“Obviously, the main thing is to win on Friday and even if I’m not in the team the main thing is to win, whoever is in the starting 11. The main thing is to go out and carry on the performance levels of the last few games and take the three points we need and then look to the next game against Inverness on Christmas Eve. Hopefully we can carry on that run.”
Tavernier has stated he still sees his long-term future as a full-back although Hodson, unsurprisingly, felt the Englishman had performed well in an unaccustomed role last week.
“I thought James played very well in midfield,” added the former Kilmarnock loanee. “He’s a very versatile player who can turn out on the right wing, midfield and full back and not a lot of players can do that. James showed his quality in midfield at the weekend against Hearts. He played very well, got on the ball and dictated the play and created chances too. That puts a message in the gaffer’s mind, showing him he can play in that position as well and that’s down to the manager to decide where he wants to play Tav.
“Right-back is his natural position so that’s where any player wants to play so that’s understandable. So for me to stay in the team I must keep performing at the highest level possible. If I dip below that I’m sure Tav will be back in and vice versa. If I’m lucky enough to start at Accies I know what I have to keep doing and that’s to continue to perform at the highest level I can.”
Rangers have mixed things up in the last few weeks, often playing long balls into Joe Garner rather than always passing through midfield. Hodson sees nothing wrong with a bit of variety.
Read more: Playing the long game: Why going direct has paid off for Rangers and Mark Warburton
“Sometimes it’s not a bad ball – it’s a clipped pass, not just a punt upfield. Joe Garner is so good in the air that, when teams do try and press us, going long provides a solution to that. We’re a team that likes to play short but I think we’ve shown we can also go long to get out when we have to. That’s a great thing to have in your locker and it’s been effective in our last couple of games.”
- Tickets for Rangers vs Inverness Caley Thistle at 12.30pm on Christmas Eve are on sale now. Prices for the Ibrox match start from £24 for adult, £18 for concessions and just £7 for juniors. Visit the Rangers Ticket Centre, call 0871 702 1972 or log on to rangers.co.uk to buy tickets.
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