'Raging' - Alan Hutton makes Tavernier admission after what's happened at Rangers

Alan Hutton would be “raging” if he found himself in the situation James Tavernier is in at Rangers.

The former Ibrox defender believes the captain has been a model professional for how he’s handled losing his place in the starting lineup in recent weeks.

Dujon Sterling started in the two fixtures before the St Johnstone game on 1 December, and the 33-year-old was back in the side for the 1-0 win at McDiarmid Park.

Speaking on The Scottish Football Social Club [2 December], Hutton said: “The way he [Tavernier] has conducted himself has been excellent. He’s been there for a long period of time. He’s been the go-to guy for a number of years when it comes to goals and assists.

“To get to the age that he’s at, it’s chopping and changing, his performances haven’t hit the level that he showed previously. He’s stayed professional, he’s working hard, and when the opportunity comes again, you have to be able to take it.

“I’d have went absolutely ballistic. I’d have been chatting the manager’s door every two minutes. I would’ve known that my performances weren’t at the level because you know yourself when you’re not playing the way that you can. And he obviously knows that.

“You can sense it coming. There’s a change with pressure from the likes of Sterling, and Kasanwirjo at the time as well. So you do know, but it still wouldn’t have sat nice with me. I’d still be raging.”

James Tavernier on last legs at Rangers

Tavernier has been a loyal servant at Ibrox for years and was the first captain in 10 years to lift the Scottish Premiership title at the Light Blues in 2021.

The right-back has been one of the Bears’ best players going forward, scoring 126 goals and providing 133 assists.

But the 33-year-old has arguably been a liability for the Glaswegian outfit in the current campaign as they sit third in the league table, 11 points behind Celtic.

Rangers have been in a regression for some time now, corresponding with Tavernier’s dip in form.

As a result, the Ibrox faithful have wanted to see the defender be dropped from the team, which Clement has done to a certain extent.

Sterling and Naraysho Kasanwirjo, before his injury, have put in some impressive performances this term, which has led to them being given more opportunities.

If Sterling had not picked up a fitness issue before the match, Tavernier would’ve likely kept his place on the bench against St Johnstone.

Clement confirmed that the 25-year-old was set to see a specialist to fix a blocked nerve, and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be available for the Kilmarnock clash on 4 December.

As for the skipper, it feels like now is the right time to part ways with him, and that could be as soon as the January window commences.

In other Rangers news, Clement has been slammed as the Bears have been torn into for being boring.

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