James Tavernier Expresses Heartfelt Regret Over Ibrox Farewell Absence
Departing Rangers captain James Tavernier expressed his profound disappointment after missing his farewell appearance at Ibrox following 11 years with the club. The 34-year-old right-back was not included in the squad for Wednesday's 2-1 defeat against Hibernian, though he received a warm ovation pre-match while being presented with a commemorative shield by Rangers legend John Greig. In a statement on Instagram, Tavernier detailed the circumstances surrounding his absence, citing an ankle issue that developed after the loss to Hearts. He stated: "The last 24 hours have been the most difficult and emotional of my career for both myself and my family." He initially planned for a medical injection but opted to delay it to play one final match at Ibrox. Despite his efforts, Tavernier learned he would be a substitute, leading to emotional turmoil. He mentioned: "In that moment, my emotions understandably took over." He felt deeply hurt and let down, especially by the public narrative surrounding his absence, which he believed did not reflect private discussions. Tavernier, who will leave Rangers this summer at the end of his contract, has made 565 appearances and scored 144 goals, becoming British football's highest-scoring defender with 152 goals. He concluded his message by emphasizing that no individual is bigger than the club and urged fans to continue supporting Rangers moving forward.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-14