Rangers suffered a demoralising defeat in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals on Saturday evening as they crashed out at the expense of Hearts.
They greatly missed the bullish nature of Alfredo Morelos who wasn’t in the squad at all because of a disciplinary issue, as they failed to score during the encounter.
However, just as it was last week, it was the Gers defence that was the most problematic. Rangers conceded twice against St Johnstone but despite keeping a clean sheet against Braga in midweek, they were left to rue a catalogue of errors at the back this weekend.
James Tavernier was one of the chief suspects as he failed to clear the ball in the build-up to Hearts’ goal. That allowed Lewis Moore to collect the ball before sliding it to Oliver Bozanic who scored easily after Allan McGregor had committed himself.
Much of the blame was pinned on Tavernier, however, as some fans took the opportunity to lay into him on Twitter. One fan referenced the goal in particular.
Never one for negatively commenting on Rangers but that was the first time I’ve turned off in years. James Tavernier should never wear the shirt again. Not just his fault but his fault for the goal. Absolutely shocking….again brought back to earth with a bang. Thanks Rangers
— Scott McDonald (@sked03) February 29, 2020
James Tavernier is not good enough
— Finlay🌹🏴 (@Duffy_Finlay) February 29, 2020
Backed Tavernier to hilt when he was getting slaughtered, but that was one of his poorest performance in our strip.
— douglas hannah (@64doogz) February 29, 2020
Big changes needed I’m starting With Tavernier he’s been with us 5 years every time the going gets tough he bottles it.
— Robert Watt (@Rabwatt2015) February 29, 2020
As well as slamming Tavernier, one Gers supporter took issue with Steven Gerrard and the way he continued to operate at Ibrox. He went as far as suggesting the manager should leave with the Rangers right-back following him out of the door.
And James Tavernier needs to follow the gaffer out the door. Perennial loser who will always be prone to a major error.
— Robert Johnstone (@boabjohnstone) February 29, 2020
Much of the reaction was centred around the captaincy and how Tavernier simply didn’t deserve that honour at Rangers.
It was a rather harsh reaction but after seeing his error it’s perhaps understandable, especially after being knocked out of the cup.
The comments were rather damning as one claimed the Glaswegian outfit would win nothing with him as the skipper. Other fans wanted him stripped of the duties completely.
Ok get Tavernier stripped of the captaincy, give it to McGregor, back to the basics of defending in training because that is shambolic for a Rangers defence to be play like that.
We’re not winning any silverware for a long long time like this. So get used to 10 11 12… in a row
— Rangers Chat (@RangersChat1873) February 29, 2020
Tavernier up there with the worst player to have the captains armband for rangers absolutely never captain material and never will be!
— CammyWhitelaw (@CamWhitelaw18) February 29, 2020
We will never win a trophy as long as Tavernier is Rangers captain
— 🏴 LV is coming 🇬🇧 (@john_dryburgh) February 29, 2020
Last 6 weeks have confirmed that we will never, ever, ever win anything with Tavernier as captain. Sentiment out the window. Find his replacement. We currently have a group of players who want to win things but don’t won’t to do the dirty work required.
— Jamie Anderson 😷 (@aultered) February 29, 2020
Another individual also laid into him for his captaincy but took issue with his inability to pass the ball as well.
This has been a familiar story of the 28-year-old’s season. For context, the Rangers defender has only completed 67.2% of his passes in the Europa League this term.
the amount of wasteful passes is unreal. can be sitting comfortably with the ball, no player within 15 yards of him and he hits it out for a throw or goal kick. never a Captain
— darren. (@Dazorla) February 29, 2020
Meanwhile, Rangers fans are all TALKING ABOUT Florian Kamberi for the same reason…