James Tavernier’s Rangers career is well and truly on the rocks.

The Gers skipper was slapped with a colossal amount of criticism after his error against Hearts in the Scottish Cup and then he poked the bees nest even further with comments a week afterwards.

Speaking in the matchday programme, the right-back claimed the side didn’t have the mental capabilities required to perform when the pressure was on.

For a club looking to end Celtic’s remarkable run of eight straight SPFL titles, it wasn’t what supporters or Steven Gerrard probably want to hear.

Gerrard’s men are now 13 points behind the Hoops and are staring down the barrel of a woeful defensive record.

The captain is chief suspect but so is Connor Goldson whose error against Hamilton cost them the match, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat against one of the teams down the bottom of the division.

Tavernier has been linked with a move away in the past and recent reports suggest the hierarchy at the club have slashed their potential asking price in half.

He has rarely been a picture of consistency but fortunately for Rangers, they have a potential long-term successor staring them in the face.

Sent out on loan to Portsmouth at the start of the season, Ross McCrorie is the man in question.

The 21-year-old has been in solid form for Pompey throughout 2019/20, going on to start eight matches at right-back and three in defensive midfield. However, it’s in defence where he’s really shone.

Dealing with the livewire of Gabriel Martinelli when they faced Arsenal in the FA Cup, he won two tackles, two aerial duels and three interceptions, via WhoScored.

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It showed a player not only willing to get stuck in but also one who has a level head and impressive concentration levels. For a Rangers side who lack basic focus in defence, that would come in handy for Gerrard if he’s still in Glasgow next season.

McCrorie has the ability to do well in the final third too. So far this term, he’s been fouled 1.4 times per game and registered three assists in League One.

If Tavernier does end up walking out of Ibrox once the season is up there’d be far worse ideas than handing McCrorie a regular starting berth.

Meanwhile, one Rangers youngster should be RUNNING SCARED after recent developments...