Tavernier reacts to Rangers v Dynamo controversy with 'Big Difference' verdict

James Tavernier has denied any malice from Jefte in the challenge that saw him dismissed as Rangers crashed out of the Champions League qualifiers.

Speaking to STV Sports, who published a clip on X [14 August], Tavernier described the incident as a “50/50” and admitted it was a key turning point in the tie with Dynamo Kyiv.

With the score level 1-1 on aggregate, the Brazilian was shown a controversial second yellow card early in the second half at Hampden Park in jumping for an aerial duel, as visitors Dynamo advanced 3-1 on aggregate after two late goals.

Philippe Clement called the red card decision “the worst I’ve seen in 30 years” [The Guardian, 13 August].

Tavernier was more diplomatic but still disgruntled, saying after the defeat: “It’s a 50/50 ball that’s going up in the air and Jefte gets up really early, and I didn’t think there was any malice at all.

“I don’t know how much contact there was. That makes a big difference.

“Obviously we’ll look back at this, and we have to brush it off really quickly. There’s no time to moan.”

Rangers crash out of Champions League

Clement and Tavernier certainly have a right to be aggrieved, with Rangers having put themselves in pole position to advance to the Champions League play-off tie after last week’s last-gasp first-leg equaliser from Cyriel Dessers.

Dynamo will now advance to face RB Salzburg in the play-off round, as the Gers are left to lick their wounds – and the red card set the tone, it was an awful decision.

But the reality is, the club have far more wounds to dress and this early European heartache just compounds the frustration from top to bottom.

The fact the defeat took place at Hampden Park rather than Ibrox is an entire escapade of its own; throw some of the defending and disorganisation from Clement’s side into the mix and it is a struggle to see when the next significant run of form will be.

Rangers will of course win games. They have four points from six in the league, which however tells a meek story in itself when you consider Celtic’s comfortable start to the season, yet to concede a goal with maximum points on the board.

Experience has been replaced with youth, and naivety pulsates through the veins of the squad. Further older heads are needed in the building quickly, and Clement may just breathe a little easier again.

In other Rangers news, Celtic fan John McGinn on why he was disappointed to see the Gers lose on Tuesday.

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