Steven Gerrard criticises West Brom and Darren Moore for James Tavernier approach
Steven Gerrard has criticised Albion’s timing of their bid for Rangers captain James Tavernier.
The Baggies lodged an offer of £1.8m rising to £3m for the right-back earlier this week, on the day before Rangers’ Europa League clash with Maribor.
And Rangers boss Gerrard was unhappy with both the timing and the fact that Baggies head coach Darren Moore did not call him personally.
"Good players get attention from other clubs,” Gerrard told the Daily Record. “I don't appreciate that attention 24 hours before a big game.
“I'd like a phone call off of big Darren at some point.
“But James handled it very well and that was probably his strongest performance so far.”
Rangers rejected Albion’s bid and Gerrard was pleased to keep hold of the full-back.
"He's got ability, he's got power - there is more to come from James,” said Gerrard. “He still has gears to go into. For me, he's a Premiership footballer. He can play in the Premier League no problem.
"He's a leader and a very likeable guy in the dressing room. People respect him. He's been through a lot of turbulence in his time at the club but handled it very well. That's why I gave him the armband.
"James knows what I think of him. It was a big decision to make him captain of this club. I speak to him every day.
“It's up to James whether he tells you what has been said between us over the past few days but he has my full support. I want James Tavernier here as long as I'm here."
