Ibrox View: Clement absolutely bottles decision as Rangers XI confirmed v St Johnstone

Philippe Clement has bottled the decision to drop James Tavernier as Rangers face St Johnstone at Ibrox on Sunday (6 October).

The Belgian has made two changes from the side that lost 4-1 to Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday (3 October), with Connor Barron and Tom Lawrence exiting the starting XI.

While Barron certainly deserved the criticism he received during the European clash, now being replaced by Nico Raskin, he was not the only player who failed to live up to expectations.

Many have called for Tavernier to be dropped, especially with Dujon Sterling waiting patiently on the bench to finally earn a run of games in the side, but Clement looks to have bottled the decision yet again.

James Tavernier decision made as Rangers XI named v St Johnstone

Clement has come under heavy fire since the beginning of the 2024/25 campaign, especially after being knocked out of Champions League qualification and losing the Old Firm derby.

With five consecutive wins in all competitions, voices calling for the Belgian to be sacked looked to have quietened down, but they’re certainly back now in some quarters after the 4-1 defeat to Lyon.

The entire squad was subject to criticism after conceding four goals in Europe but Tavernier seemed to take the brunt of it from the fans, which is understandable as the club captain.

The 32-year-old has continued to be a regular in Clement’s team, even despite the fans hounding for him to be dropped, and the manager has stuck to his guns, bottling the decision to remove his captain.

The decision likely would have backfired either way. Clement would have been proven right should his replacement perform poorly, but Tavernier now has a chance to prove the doubters wrong.

In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist was blown away by what one defender did v Lyon, “tremendous”.

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