‘We know the demands’ – Rangers skipper Tavernier insists club have mental strength to win title
Rangers James Tavernier has reiterated his belief that he and his teammates are mentally strong enough to win the Scottish Premiership title.
The Gers fell 13 points short of bitter rivals Celtic this term, despite being just two points behind with a game in hand at the start of the year.
Tavernier himself has come in for criticism, with Chris Sutton branding him a “serial loser” late last year.
But the captain insists that the Gers have what it takes to be champions.
As quoted by the Daily Record, he said: “I’m strong-minded and I don’t think I would be in the position I am if I wasn’t strong mentally.
“The events last season were just one of those things. They didn’t really affect my performance.
“It’s something that’s in the past. I’m looking to the future and to making myself the best I can be and helping the team the best I can. We’re a good group of boys.
“We know the demands of the club. Playing for this club, the fans demand that we bring silverware to Ibrox.”
Is Tavernier a “serial loser”?
We all know that Sutton loves to wind the Gers up, and to be fair to Tavernier, his comments aren’t in direct response to the pundit’s.
But you would have to say that until Tav lifts a trophy, it will be a stick with which he is continuously beaten.
That’s not to say that Tavernier is a serial loser, but he certainly hasn’t been a serial winner either, and to many outsiders looking in, there is little distinction.
Ultimately, then, the best way to silence any critics is for the Gers to get their hands on a major trophy this year.
Until we do that, there will always be question marks, and with Tav wearing the armband, he is going to come under more scrutiny than most.
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