Pundit reacts to ‘unacceptable’ Rangers scenes as video footage emerges
We’re delighted to welcome Tam McManus as our exclusive Rangers columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…
Tam McManus has no issues with the video footage of Rangers fans confronting James Tavernier after the 2-1 defeat at St Johnstone on Sunday.
Tavernier, 31, was spotted speaking to a group of disgruntled supporters outside McDiarmid Park as they were clearly left angry with the defeat in Perth.
The right-back has since spoken out about the incident, saying that he’ll always listen to the fans and that he understands their concerns.
McManus also sees why Rangers fans were furious with the result but is glad that tempers didn’t flare beyond control outside St Johnstone’s ground and that the conversation between Tavernier and supporters was cival.
“Supporters are entitled to their opinion,” McManus told Ibrox News.
“When you are a Rangers – or Celtic – player, you have a real sense of responsibility. Second is last here and you don’t get anything for being second best.
“Rangers are far gone at the minute, they’ve dropped five points in their last three league games.
“It’s unacceptable for supporters.
“From what I’ve seen [of the video clip], it was done in a respectful way. There wasn’t any swearing or anything like that, it was a conversation.
“Listen, I’m sure that will hurt James Tavernier, he’s the captain of Rangers and will be looking to bounce back immediately. That’s obviously got to be in that huge game against Hearts.
“I do get that. I get why the supporters are really frustrated.
“We’ve seen it on the other side with Neil Lennon [at Celtic] when there were protests outside Parkhead when 10-in-a-row slipped away.
“Passions do run high up here and as long as it’s done in a respectful way, I’ve not got a problem with it.”
Footage of the fans confronting Tavernier caused a stir on social media with some Rangers fans in support of the conversation while others viewed it as ammo for Celtic fans.
In other Rangers news, only one player can save van Bronckhorst from the sack – and he was ironically axed by the Dutchman this season.