Rangers' Danny Röhl Stands Firm on Leaving James Tavernier Out in Farewell Match
Danny Röhl defends his contentious choice to exclude outgoing captain James Tavernier from the starting line-up during Rangers' 2-1 loss to Hibernian. The 34-year-old right-back, who had hoped for a farewell appearance at Ibrox after 11 years, declined to sit on the bench after learning he wouldn't start, despite hastening a planned injection for an ankle injury to play one last game. Before the match, Tavernier received a commemorative shield from former Rangers skipper and manager John Greig. However, he expressed feeling "deeply hurt and let down" by Röhl's decision, a sentiment echoed by both former and current players who liked his social media post. In the wake of a fourth consecutive post-split defeat, Röhl stated: "My job is to make decisions, who starts. I made my decision, I was very transparent with him." Looking ahead to the final game of the season against Falkirk, where Tavernier will be absent due to the delayed injection, Röhl addressed the divisive issue among Rangers supporters. He emphasized his intention to ensure Tavernier received a proper farewell, saying, "I think I was from the first part very clear and open with him." Röhl elaborated on his decision-making process: He considered the team's need for results. He aimed to balance giving Tavernier a farewell while prioritizing the match outcome. He noted that final team decisions are made on match day, not the night before. Röhl concluded, "It was my final decision for him at that moment. But it was always in my mind to give him this goodbye and I was honest to him."
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-05-15