Just when you think you’ve seen and heard it all with Rangers, the club manages to collectively make a mess of the last Ibrox appearance for James Tavernier.
When the lineups were confirmed at around 6.45 on Tuesday evening, the omission of James Tavernier became bigger than the game itself.
Almost immediately, social media was awash with rumours of disagreement between the manager and the club captain.
What was supposed to be a fond farewell turned into another farce at Ibrox.
As I monitored developments at Ibrox, I could not believe what I was hearing.
James Tavernier wasn’t at Ibrox, then he was.
Both fan media and mainstream outlets were briefed that after Tav was informed he wouldn’t be starting the game, he opted to remove himself from the dressing room and depart Ibrox.
Everyone was getting their head around that, only for the captain to make an appearance on the pitch soon after.
This would be his Ibrox bow – as he received a personalised memento from the Greatest Ever Ranger, John Greig, with the emotion etched all over his face.
The moment was over within a couple of minutes at most.
The fans showed their appreciation. John Greig embraced Tavernier one more time, then that was it.
James Tavernier went up the tunnel, and minutes later, he was back in his car and up the road.
What a sad and damning way to end his time at the club.
Yes, there is the final game of the season against Falkirk on Saturday but it would be astounding if, after all this, the player makes a return for one last outing.
We shall see.
Danny Rohl responds to James Tavernier
Post-match after Rangers 1 Hibs 2, another result that compounded a damaging night for the club, Danny Rohl explained the situation.
As reported by the Rangers Review, the under-fire German coach said:
“With Tav, to bring this a little bit into context, for me it was as well strange today, I must say this. I didn’t expect this like it was today.
“On Monday, I got a call from the medical department that Tav is not available for Wednesday, he needs an injection on Tuesday. Then my job, because I thought this is maybe his last chance to play at home, I gave him a call.
“The call was then OK, I convinced him that he can move this injection maybe later.
“He said OK, he will be available for today. Yesterday we were in contact. And then finally, and I think this is also my job, to make decisions, who starts and who is a sub.
“I made my decision [to not start him], I was very transparent with him. I thought and I wished him that he get some minutes. You can think about start or not start, I think this is exactly my decision because this is the reason why I am the manager.
“And finally, he didn’t accept that he would not start today and then he stayed away from the team. That is the story.
“I think, and I must say this, I was really looking forward to give him minutes today because he deserved this, to be 11 years here. I think a good goodbye, to be on the pitch, final whistle, this should be like him. But this is not my part, I think for me it was about setting up the team and I did this.”
Readrangers.com analysis – Graeme Hanna
There are three sides to this story.
We’ve heard Danny Rohl’s version, we might hear from James Tavernier’s camp, and the whole truth will be somewhere in between.
Many fans have attacked Rohl for his handling of the situation. It’s not pretty and has been damaging for the club.
Some have criticised Tavernier’s decision not to take his place on the bench. With some justification.
Here’s the issue. The club and the supporters, overall, are the main losers.
This has been a PR nightmare, creating more friction and anger when it should have been avoided.
Tavernier should have played from the start if he was able to, but what would have been wrong with getting his bow to a huge ovation, followed by a lap around the pitch?
We still haven’t heard the end of it, but it’s another fine mess at Ibrox.
