James Tavernier guilty of Rangers ‘roasting’ in loss v Lyon

James Tavernier should be ashamed of his Rangers performance in the 4-1 loss to Lyon and must start leading by example for his teammates.

Malick Fofana had Tavernier’s number all game on the right flank as the Lyon forward bagged a brace alongside Alexandre Lacazette to bring the Gers four-match winning run to a resounding end.

Tavernier let down Philippe Clement on the big occasion once again as Kheredine Idessane couldn’t help poking fun at the right-back in his live coverage of the match for BBC Scotland [3 October, 9:27pm].

He said: “On the hour, off goes the Rangers skipper James Tavernier, given a right roasting by Malick Fofana today.”

James Tavernier lets Rangers down again v Lyon

The Rangers captain has seemingly failed to learn his lesson from the 3-0 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead earlier this season and has once again let his side down when he was needed the most.

While all the attention in the aftermath of the result will be on Connor Barron and his wayward pass leading to the second goal, Tavernier will not be able to shy away from criticism and his ability to lead the side should come under question.

The 32-year-old should consider himself lucky he has remained the leader of this Rangers side, Clement earmarked his captain for a departure throughout the summer [TEAMtalk] and thus far he has just not led by example this term.

Tavernier is making a habit of going missing in the big games for his side, it is all well and good taking charge against inferior Scottish Premiership opposition, however, the Gers will never make progress on the pitch if their captain cannot be a leader when the chips are stacked against them.

This is no longer a coincidence and Clement must act now, with Dujon Sterling waiting in the wings, it is time to put his trust in the 23-year-old on the big occasions and start the process of gazing Tavernier out of the first team picture.

In other Rangers news, Philippe Clement was blasted for a ‘contradictory’ response to a Four Lads question after Rangers loss v Lyon.

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