Rangers TV highlighted the fan rage at James Tavernier as he toiled against Motherwell – before Philippe Clement’s stare of doom preceded the skipper being hooked.
Captain Tavernier’s form has dipped dramatically this season and he’s been one of the scapegoats for punters as the Premiership title race already threatens to run away from them. In the end it was relief and celebration at Hampden after a battling Premier Sports Cup semi-final win, but it was underpinned by concern about another poor performance.
Rangers were booed off at half-time at the national stadium with Andy Halliday giving Motherwell the lead, and while Cyriel Dessers and Nedim Bajrami allowed Clement to have the last laugh, it was a nervy one in which fans threatened to, and at times did, turn. There was fury from the stands during one moment early in the second half, in which Tavernier crossed from deep, but comically overhit it, prompting boos and jeers from the stands.
Rangers TV cameras then showed a frustrated Tavernier turn away in disgust, before cutting to Clement on the touchline, who looked perplexed and stared a hole through his captain. Acknowledging the audible rage from the stands, commentator Tom Miller said: “I think the reaction from the Rangers fans shows the frustration that I’m sure the manager and the captain himself are feeling.”
As it happened the frustration eased shortly after. Dessers soon got Rangers level, but they toiled to find a winner, and Tavernier was hooked for Dujon Sterling before Bajrami struck the winner. The captain continues to be a central player for Clement but it’s the latest sign the boss isn’t 100 per cent sold on his performances this season – he was similarly subbed off around the hour mark in the defeat to Lyon and left out of the starting XI for their narrow win over St Mirren last month.