Irish journalist here, bringing you the latest football news from the Scottish Premiership and beyond.
James Tavernier, the dynamic full-back for Rangers, showcased his scoring prowess with a brace in their recent 3-0 victory over St Johnstone on 18 February. This performance elevated his goal tally for the club to an impressive 120. A question arises among fans and pundits alike: Is Tavernier’s goal-scoring record as a full-back, not just across his entire career, a historic feat in football? Derek Robertson pondered this intriguing query.
In a surprising turn of events, Rangers secured a resounding 5-0 win against Hearts over the weekend, yet Tavernier surprisingly did not find the back of the net. Tavernier has been a consistent goal-scoring threat for Rangers in recent years, notching at least 18 goals in each of the last four seasons. Since his arrival from Wigan Athletic in 2015, Tavernier has amassed a remarkable 120 goals for the club.
After thorough research, with special thanks to Pete Tomlin for his valuable insights, we delved into the archives to uncover if any full-back in football history has outscored Tavernier for a single club. The numbers may slightly vary depending on sources, but the consensus points towards Tavernier’s goal-scoring prowess being unmatched in the full-back category.
THE MOST PROLIFIC FULL-BACKS AT ONE CLUB:
– 120 James Tavernier (Rangers, 2015-)
– 105 Nelinho (Cruzeiro, 1973-82)
– 101 Manny Kaltz (Hamburg, 1971-89)
– 88 Stuart Pearce (Nottingham Forest, 1985-97)
– 69 Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid, 1996-2007)
When expanding the scope to include all defenders, Tavernier’s goal-scoring exploits are overshadowed by Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro, who notched 127 goals during his illustrious career. The intricacies of Hierro’s positional play might have seen him score some of these goals while operating in midfield. The meticulous task of verifying each goal seems daunting, but it’s a testament to the rich history of football.
THE MOST PROLIFIC DEFENDERS AT ONE CLUB:
– 129 Fernando Hierro (Real Madrid, 1989-2003)
– 124 Wendie Renard (Lyon, 2006-)
– 120 James Tavernier (Rangers, 2015-)
– 105 Nelinho (Cruzeiro, 1973-82)
– 102 Edgardo Bauza (Rosario Central, 1977-82, 1986-89)
– 101 Manny Kaltz (Hamburg, 1971-89), Daniel Passarella (River Plate, 1974-81), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid, 2005-21)
The debate extends to whether Tavernier holds the title of the highest-scoring full-back in football history. While he falls short of this accolade, his position among the top goal-scoring full-backs is undeniable. Tavernier’s quest to surpass Bradford City’s Graham Alexander, who boasts 131 career goals, looms on the horizon. However, the pinnacle of this list is occupied by Brazilian right-back Nelinho, renowned for his exquisite use of the outside of his right foot in the 1970s and 1980s.
As we delve deeper into football history, the complexities of goal-scoring records come to light. The International Federation of Football Statistics & History credits Nelinho with 141 goals, yet discrepancies exist in various sources regarding his total tally. Brazilian football’s statistical landscape presents a challenge, with estimates ranging from 165 to 180 goals for Nelinho. The enigmatic nature of these figures adds a layer of intrigue to the discussion.
FULL-BACKS WITH THE MOST CAREER GOALS (CLUB AND COUNTRY):
– 170* Nelinho
– 131 Graham Alexander
– 128 Roberto Carlos, James Tavernier
– 110 Manny Kaltz
– 105 Stuart Pearce
(Identical records)
Shifting focus to the Scottish Premiership, an interesting query surfaces regarding identical records held by Hibs and Aberdeen after 25 games into the season. Both teams boasted the same W6 D9 L10 F31 A41 Pts 27 record. Matt Guthrie sought to uncover the latest point in a season where two clubs shared identical statistics.
The pursuit led to a historical example from English football’s Division One in the 1907-08 season, where Blackburn Rovers and Woolwich Arsenal culminated the campaign with identical records. While instances of teams finishing with matching goals for, goals against, and points arise, finding parallels in wins, draws, and losses proves to be a rare occurrence.
In a trip down memory lane, we revisit notable cases such as the Bundesliga 1979-80 and Belgian Eerste Klasse 1983-84 seasons, where teams mirrored each other’s performance metrics. The Primeira_Divisão in 1996-97 and the Bundesliga of 1999-2000 also witnessed such statistical symmetry, adding a touch of intrigue to the annals of football history.
Shifting gears to a different aspect of football lore, the quest to visit all 92 league grounds in the top four divisions garners attention. Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu’s exploration of 85 grounds in his journey with Luton prompts questions about the ultimate feat of visiting all 92 stadiums. Notable figures like Trevor Hockey and Tommy Widdrington achieved this milestone, showcasing the allure of traversing the football landscape.
The pursuit of completing the 92 grounds remains a badge of honor for football enthusiasts, with individuals like Lee Dixon, Steve Finnan, Robbie James, and Dave Beasant making strides towards this coveted achievement. The journey to experience the diverse tapestry of football venues continues to captivate fans and players alike.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the world of football, where records are made and history is written on the pitch.
