James Tavernier: Getting The Points Was Our Objective

JAMES TAVERNIER moved onto 10 goals for the season with a first-half penalty winner at Kilmarnock this afternoon.

Played in a swirling wind with battering rain in the second half, Gers had to dig deep to get over the line at Rugby Park to make it nine wins on the bounce in all competitions with just two goals conceded in that time.

Speaking afterwards to RangersTV, Tavernier explained: "We are delighted to get the three points. That was, first and foremost, our objective coming here today.

"We know it's always a tough place to come on the astroturf, so we knew it was going to be a tough game and they were going to be right in our faces.

"But we made the game long and we made it hard for them - we were turning them and trying to get on the ball as much as we could and to test their 'keeper as much as we could.

"We then got the breakthrough with the penalty - we came here to get the three points and we did."

That was Tavernier’s sixth successful spot-kick of the season, and he continued: "Whenever we get a penalty, I always want to stick it in the back of the net and contribute to the team.

"It was the only goal today but we had chances. I was happy it went in the back of the net - if we get some more then I can keep helping the team out.

"Jacko and Scotty in midfield, Davo came on to do a job and Cedric did a brilliant job for us today.

"He's been on the sidelines watching and has seen Kemar and Alfredo get the headlines - but credit to him, he's a great professional.

"He has been working really hard on the training pitch and he was asked to come in to the team today and he did himself and the team proud."

On a 15th set-piece from 18 games played this term, Tavernier said: "We have great pride in it and we worked hard on it in pre-season as a defensive unit and as a team.

"So it is something we take great belief in and we always want to come into games and try to get clean sheets and we have got to continue to work hard on it and stop the other team get chances."

Gers now face a mouthwatering UEFA Europa League tie at Benfica on Thursday, and on that, Tavernier added: "Benfica speaks for itself - it's a massive game, we are both on the same points in the group so these games take care of themselves and the boys are buzzing for it.

"We'll get the rest in today and tomorrow and look forward to Thursday."

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