James Tavernier gets Rangers herograms for goal record as Scottish Premiership naysayers told to pipe down

James Tavernier became the highest scoring defender in British football history and the naysayers have been told it doesn't MATTER what level he's scored most of them at.

The Rangers captain netted the 131st goal of his career with a crisp volley in his side's 3-1 victory over Hibs at Ibrox on Saturday. That strike - which came after a mrare missed penalty - took him past former Scotland international Graham Alexander in the goal rankings, putting Tavernier top of the tree and in just over half half the game Alexander took to rack up his own impressive tally.

Tavernier came in for high praise on talkSport, with presenters Jeff Stelling and Andy Townsend hailing the right back's scoring success, name checking him alongside the likes of Steve Bruce and Stuart Pearce. And Townsend told anyone looking to downplay the 32-year-old's achievement to think again as he dismissed often used Scottish football caveat.

"That's some record that is," he said. "There have been a few over the years. Pearcey (Stuart Pearce) used to get a good few and there have always been defenders when they go forwards, when they're attacking a free-kick or corners, they look like they want to get on the end of it and can finish. Steve Bruce was top scorer for manchester United one season and that doesn't surprise me.

"How many has he got James Tavernier? 131? Congratulations to him.

"I don't care - people can talk about the fact that he's scoring them in Scotland or whatever, it doesn't matter. If you're a defender by nature and by trade, then all of a sudden you find yourself with 130-odd goals, you're doing something right. It's very, very good."