As the leader and longest serving member of this Rangers squad, James Tavernier has been forced to bear the brunt of fan frustration this season.
Be it online or on the Ibrox doorstep, it’s been the skipper who has copped it in the neck from the seething support more than any other. Some of the criticism is fair. But there have been moments – most notably when Tavernier was subjected to a ridiculous personal rant as he led his team back to Govan following this month’s Old Firm defeat – when things have majorly crossed a line.There’s no doubt, though, that with Tavernier attracting most of the bullets, it has allowed the rest of the Ibrox squad to duck for cover. So Jack Butland believes it’s only fair that when events turn gloomy, that’s when he and his team-mates must step up and attempt to lighten the captain’s load. And the Gers No.1 believes it’s that collective spirit that has enabled Tavernier to put the pain of his side’s Parkhead pasting behind him and lead from the front as Gers kicked off their Europa League campaign with this week’s impressive victory over Malmo.
