Rory Loy has clamped speculation that Philippe Clement was making a “statement” about Rangers captain James Tavernier after he was substituted against Lyon.
The skipper struggled to get to grips with the relentless attack from the visitors as Malick Fofana caused havoc down the left flank under the Ibrox lights – netting a double as he repeatedly shrugged off the attention of Tavernier in the 4-1 demolition. The right-back lasted 61 minutes of the Europa League clash before boss Clement decided he had seen enough – replacing him with Feyenoord loanee Neraysho Kasanwirjo.
It has been rare to see the 32-year-old substituted throughout his Rangers career having been a mainstay of the staring line-up since 2015 – and the decision has raised some eyebrows over the implications for Tavernier going into the Sunday night clash with St Johnstone. Speaking on BBC Sportsound, Kenny Macintyre quizzed if the Belgian had made a “statement” by pulling off the captain in the midst of the rout.
Former Rangers man Loy quickly interjected: “I don’t think so, I think it was a necessity the other night. That is not being too critical of Tavernier, it happens all the time with players.
“It just hasn’t happened all the time with Tavernier. On Thursday it got to the damage limitation point and it was the best thing to do to get him off.”
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