Furious Butland and Tavernier embroiled in Rangers ding dong as suffering skipper’s role called out on TV.

The skipper was denied the opportunity to be a hero as tempers flared at the national stadium.

 

Rangers manager Philippe Clement sacked James Tavernier with their semi-final against Motherwell hanging in the balance on a day of personal anguish for the struggling skipper. The Ibrox skipper, who argued this week that he has had a decent season despite criticism from punters and pundits, had his number called in the 67th minute as he and Cyriel Dessers limped out before his side defeated Motherwell 2-1. Tavernier had previously raised eyebrows at Hampden with his spirited exchange with Jack Butland.

The two were captured on TV letting off steam with Rangers trailing, as onlookers inside the national stadium watched the captain and one of the club’s most senior players yell at each other, with enraged Rangers fans booing them. A better second half satisfied the Light Blues fans. Michael Stewart, however, did not miss Tavernier’s performance or subsequent substitution. Stewart told Premier Sports: “He may not have had his finest game, but he’s still the captain and leader of the squad, which was probably the major reason he was kept in the summer. Now it’s 1-1 in a semi-final with 25 minutes left, and he’s hooked.

Stephen Thompson of the BBC reiterated this, saying, “Tavernier has not had a good afternoon; he’s really struggled today. That missed opportunity adds to the pain.” Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for the latest breaking news, video, and audio from the SPFL, Scotland national team, and beyond. You can also follow our dedicated

Rangers and Celtic podcast pages and sign up for our newsletters to ensure you never miss a beat this season. We’ve also launched WhatsApp communities for the Rangers and Celtic teams. Follow NOW to receive the most recent breaking news and transfer rumours straight to your phone.

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk