'Not Being Disrespectful' - Pundit rejects Clement claims after Rangers 'Act of Lunacy' mooted

Philippe Clement’s comments regarding Rangers fans’ anger towards James Tavernier have been dismissed by Darren Jackson.

The former Scotland striker said on PLZ Soccer’s YouTube channel that the manager likening the criticism to what he faced as skipper of Club Brugge was no comparison to the pressure in the Old Firm.

Tavernier was heavily linked to a late Ibrox exit after abuse in the wake of the loss at Parkhead [HITC, 6 September], in a move host Peter Martin insists would have been an “act of lunacy”, but has chosen to stay [HITC, 12 September]

Martin said (31m 20s): “I don’t know where the story gathered pace. It could be an agent, it could be maybe James Tavernier was testing the ground, or maybe Rangers were trying to flush out somebody to buy him. I didn’t see James Tavernier leaving. That whole thing, if it did gather pace and was something that had any substance to it, it would be an act of lunacy in my opinion.”

Jackson replied: “Yeah, you can only see it if they were wanting to get him off the wage bill, Peter, because I would imagine he’s one of the highest paid players there. I’ve been critical of James Tavernier… but Rangers need Tavernier just now.

“Philippe Clement’s talking about, ‘I’ve had it when I was at Bruges’. I’m not being disrespectful to Bruges, it will be nothing like Rangers, or Celtic. James Tavernier is under pressure because he is captain.”

Rangers captain to stay after Celtic fallout

Clement is right that Tavernier becomes a lightning rod for criticism whether he personally deserves it or not, but unlike many times in the past he is currently part of the problem.

That doesn’t excuse direct abuse in person as he was targeted for outside Ibrox after the derby, even if the high-pressure environment of the Old Firm is a step up from Club Brugge.

It is surely the right decision to avoid the captain behind hurried out the back door after the transfer deadline given what he has given to the Light Blues.

Even if he has become the face of a period of relative failure it doesn’t bear thinking about how much more barren the last decade might have been without him.

All the same there would be few complaints if he was given a few games out of the XI as he looks to regain some form.

If he can’t do so in the coming weeks it would clearly suggest it was a mistake not to leave when many expected him to during the summer, when Trabzonspor came calling [Sky Sports, 24 July].

A January exit, properly planned and with a replacement potentially lined up, can’t be ruled out as things stand, but in the immediate term he and his manager need to restore some calm in Glasgow.

In other Rangers news, Clement has confirmed an Ianis Hagi update after his agents refused an exit.

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