Taggart praises Foxes talisman Vardy

Former Leicester City defender Gerry Taggart has hailed Jamie Vardy as the “catalyst” for the side’s current success. Vardy continues to roll back the years, netting 11 goals so far in the Premier League to top the scoring charts after 12 games, the latest coming in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Arsenal.
After retiring from internationals after the 2018 World Cup, there has even been talk of Gareth Southgate potentially trying to tempt him out of his self-imposed exile ahead of Euro 2020.
The striker may well be 32 but he looks as sharp as ever, winning the October Premier League Player of the Month Award and Brendan Rodgers’ tactics are clearly bringing the best out of him.
Rodgers’ approach is a far cry from his predecessor Claude Puel, with the Frenchman losing the dressing room after seemingly trying to move Vardy aside in a bid to make the Foxes a more possession-based side.
Currently they sit second in the table and are clearly suited to the coach’s way of playing, pressing when out of possession, forcing the error and attacking from deep with pace.
Those are the methods Claudio Ranieri employed to great effect when guiding Leicester to the Premier League title in 2015-16 and Taggart agrees it is the way to go.
The Northern Irishman was a stalwart of Martin O’Neill’s side, helping the club win the League Cup in 2000 and playing a part in their promotion back to the top flight in 2003.
Taggart, a hard-hitting defender during his day, clearly appreciates the intensity the team are playing with this term.
Speaking to ‘LCFC Radio’s Pre-Match Pint’, the 49-year-old commented that the Golden Boot contender’s ability to lead from the front is bringing the best out of both himself and the team. “You don’t get to 32, scoring the amount of goals he’s scored, and still looking as fit as you do without being managed in between that,” Taggart said. “He’s been the catalyst but everyone has a responsibility when it comes to closing the ball down, and Brendan Rodgers will be right on top of that. That helps Jamie Vardy, in turn, to manage himself.”