JAMES TAVERNIER underlined his player-of-the-year credentials with another goal and an assist in Rangers’ 2-1 win over Dundee United yesterday.

The skipper scored with one sensational free-kick for his 17th goal of the season and then swung in another for Connor Goldson’s winner at Tannadice Park — the 13th goal the right-back has set up this term.

It is looking more and more like this will be Rangers’ year to break Celtic’s hold on the Premiership title, with Steven Gerrard’s team overcoming this latest examination of their character.

Liam Smith did briefly level for the hosts but the Light Blues again found a way to come through.

The only concern for Gerrard might have been the form and behaviour of Alfredo Morelos, who missed a glorious chance to put Gers further ahead in the second half, having escaped serious punishment for a collision with United defender Mark Connolly.

But asked if he would talk to the striker about the incident, Gerrard hit back, saying: “Why would I speak to him about that?

“I didn’t see an elbow. If you look at him again, there’s no elbow there. The referee saw it and dealt with it.”

Meanwhile, a 2-0 Celtic win against Kilmarnock kept Neil Lennon’s men 13 points off the pace.