James Tavernier, a native of Bradford, is overtaking incoming Bantams manager Graham Alexander on an incredible all-time list.
Both of them are in the top 10 goal scorers among defenders in football history, and Tavernier now has 115 goals in his career after scoring twice for Rangers in their 3-1 victory against Hearts in the Viaplay Cup semi-final at Hampden Park last Sunday.
With those goals, the right-back moved up the chart above Steve Bruce, Paul Breitner, and Roberto Carlos.
Alexander, a former full-back for Preston and Burnley, is his next target.
Throughout his professional career, the 52-year-old Scot—who was deadly from the penalty spot—scored over 70 goals and an amazing 130 assists.
When he retired, he was ranked fifth on the record, but with 135 goals and counting, four-time Champions League winner Sergio Ramos has since passed him.
Neither Tavernier nor Alexander would ever come near the man at the top of the list.
The Dutch national team’s manager, Ronald Koeman, a former center back for Barcelona, was a maestro of set pieces and finished his career with an incredible 253 goals.
With 175 goals before retiring, Argentine World Cup winner Daniel Passarella is ranked second on the record, although he has an astounding 78 goals ahead of him.
Third on the list with 163 goals is Real Madrid veteran Fernando Hierro, who had an unexpected late-career stint with Bolton.
Renowned center-half Laurent Blanc of Marseille and Inter Milan, who captained France to a World Cup victory in 1998, is in fourth place with 153.
Leave a Reply