Alan Hutton thinks Rangers may drop James Tavernier for cup final against Celtic

Former Rangers right-back Alan Hutton suspects Ibrox captain James Tavernier will be left out of their Premier Sports Cup final team after struggling against Daizen Maeda in recent times.

The Light Blues have only won one of their last 13 encounters with Celtic – and that was effectively a dead rubber after the Hoops had clinched the 2023 title.

Maeda has scored twice in the past four derby clashes when going up against Tavernier on Celtic’s left flank.

Hutton praised Tavernier’s character for rediscovering his form in recent weeks after being a scapegoat for some poor results.

But the former Tottenham and Aston Villa defender believes Philippe Clement might turn to Dujon Sterling at right-back at Hampden on Sunday.

“I have a feeling that possibly Sterling might play in the final,” he said on the Warm-Up, the SPFL’s official preview show.

“Full-back is one of those positions where you can get exposed very easily. I remember being down south and when you were up against guys like (Yannick) Bolasie and (Wilfried) Zaha, you knew it was coming. You could feel it. See when you have that feeling as a full-back, ‘oh no’, it’s very difficult to get out your mind.

“I just feel over the seasons Maeda has just had it over him for whatever reason.

“With guys like that you have to get tight, you have to get aggressive. If he nicks it by you, which he can do, then you’re looking for people to cover round. But it’s going to be an interesting one.”

Former Celtic captain and manager Neil Lennon believes Maeda’s threat has become a psychological problem for Tavernier.

When asked if the Japan international had got into Tavernier’s head, Lennon said: “Watching the last few games, it looks that way. Maeda has done a number on him in the last three or four games, not just goals but the way he tracks back and takes the ball, physically, getting in behind Tavernier.”

Lennon believes Clement should pick Tavernier but devise a way to protect the full-back.

“I’d fit him in somehow, he’s a threat from set plays. although you can’t change the system in a couple of days, you can’t do it in a week,” he said.

“So, it’s a conundrum for him, but there’s no doubt he has struggled against Maeda. Maybe they need to look at overloading that side to stop it, I don’t know how you would do that, maybe get another midfielder over to give him that bit of protection.

“He keeps getting done at the back post. The amount of times Celtic go down the right and cut it back and Maeda gets the first contact to score.”