(Credit: Imago)

Jacob Raw

Wed 13 May 2026 20:48, UK

Martin Boyle should always get a frosty Rangers reception from now on after appearing to mock James Tavernier while celebrating Hibernian’s opening goal at Ibrox on Wednesday.

The Bears had an interesting few hours to say the least after news broke of Tavernier’s bust-up with Danny Rohl, which led him to storm out of Ibrox before the Hibernian game kicked off.

It was suggested that the club captain wasn’t going to appear at the stadium, but seemed to have a change of mind, and was given an emotional presentation before the game started.

It didn’t take long for the visitors to go ahead, though, as Boyle got on the end of Jordan Obita’s cross, with the striker firing through Jack Butland’s grasp.

Boyle mocked Tavernier’s usual goal celebration while pretending to swing a club at a gold ball in front of Rangers’ skipper, who was most likely in the stands with his family.

Rangers tried to sign Martin Boyle before, that will never happen now

Rangers were interested in signing Boyle over three years ago, almost bringing the Australian to Ibrox from the Hibees.

The 33-year-old has been a thorn in the Gers’ side for many years, and that’s bad enough on its own, but he’s shown a lack of class here.

There’s no doubt that Hibs will have known about the Tavernier bust-up, especially once learning the team and squad that Danny Rohl had selected for the match.

It would be no surprise to learn that doing his celebration to add to the drama was probably discussed in the away changing rooms once the news went viral on social media.

There’s a place and a time for “banter” in football, but when such emotions have been involved in a clearly tense situation, there’s no need for things like this.

He will rightly be remembered as an Ibrox villain for life now.

This is what was even worse about Boyle’s goal

Butland has had his fare share of criticism, but he really needed to be saving Boyle’s effort.

The ball went straight through him, and serious questions will continue to be asked of the Englishman heading into the summer window.

Thankfully, Thelo Aasgaard’s free kick gave the Bears a lift heading into half time, but Butland’s error won’t be forgotten, regardless of how the game finishes.

It was the only effort that the shot-stopper faced, as it made him then leave the half with an incredibly low minus 0.92 goals prevented.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.