James Tavernier Rangers abuse crossed a line as transfer exit talk justified to unburden captain of stress
Barry Ferguson believes James Tavernier would be well within his rights to seek a Rangers transfer exit after becoming the fan "whipping boy" over the recent Celtic defeat.
The former captain, however, believes the current skipper may have too much pride and feel like he has a point to prove to those supporters who hit him with abuse outside Ibrox after their side lost 3-0 on derby day. Ferguson understands that a potential move to Turkey this evening before their window shuts would rid Tavernier of his responsibility at Ibrox and take away a lot of the stress he's undoubtedly feeling.
But Ferguson has suggested Tavernier has shut that door. The 46-year-old reckons the right-back has it in him still to don the armband and lead his teammates out against Dundee United on Sunday and demand improvement to take Gers back to winning ways and exorcise some of the demons from the Parkhead trip.
READ MORE: Rangers make major Ibrox announcement as Copland Stand works near completion
"It's hard to believe the Old Firm game was only two weeks ago. It’s felt more like two months as far as I’m concerned," he wrote in his Daily Record column.
"Too much time to think. Too much time to replay the events at Celtic Park over and over inside your own head. Too much time to hurt. And that’s just me. I can only imagine what it’s been like for the guys who are actually still wearing that Rangers shirt. And, in particular, for the man who pulls on the armband.
"That’s why the next couple of days could be among the most important of James Tavernier’s nine years at Ibrox. The transfer deadline is still open in Turkey for a few more hours and Tavernier has been linked with a number of clubs in the Super Lig.
"The question is, what does Tavernier want to do in his heart of hearts? Because I can imagine that he’ll be feeling pretty torn right now. He could have chosen to pick up the phone to his agent and tell him to thrash out a deal before the Turkish window closes. Instead, he seems to have nipped it in the bud.
"That tells me he wants to lead that team back out of the tunnel at Tannadice on Sunday and front up the process of trying to make up for what went on a couple of weeks ago. I remember getting a bit of stick from supporters after defeats when I was leaving the stadium to walk to my car. Some of it got personal and that was never nice to hear. But, almost all of the time, I would be thinking to myself, ‘You know what? The guy’s right. I was rotten today and this is not f****** good enough,’.
"I was lucky too. We had such a successful team and I was surrounded by so many talented players that it never took too long for us to put things right. But it’s not been like that for Tavernier. He’s had to lead the club through a very different set of circumstances and it feels as if he’s carrying the stigma of being a Rangers captain synonymous with NOT winning many trophies. I’m not sure how I would have coped with that. It would have done my head in to be honest.
"Yes, I like to think I would react the way I always did in my own time. But, year after year, disappointing season after disappointing season, it must have taken a helluva toll on the man. Fans have to remember, he’s a human being after all, with real feelings.
"So I’ve been thinking about him over these last two weeks ever since I saw the footage from outside Ibrox following the derby defeat when he was confronted by angry supporters. It just hasn’t sat right with me all of this time. If you’re not performing then someone somewhere will let you know about it. And Rangers fans had every right to be angry about the way their team performed at Parkhead. They were still raw and they were hurting. But a line was crossed in terms of the levels of abuse that Tavernier was subjected to. It went way over the score.
"Like him or not. Rate him or don’t rate him. But this guy has been wearing the jersey for nearly a decade as a Rangers player and never once has he gone hiding, no matter how tough it’s been. He’s always fit and available for selection the next week.
"That’s another reason why I was wondering where his head is at. I hope he deals with it the way I used to. I hope it’s given him the fuel to get back out onto a pitch as quickly as possible and show what he is all about. But I would understand it if he feels it’s unfair that he’s the whipping boy all the time. It’s a team game for crying out loud, it can’t all be pinned on just one man whether he’s the captain or not.
"I wish I could give him a bit of advice but I can’t. Deep down only he knows if he wants to be released from the weight of this responsibility, or if the desire and appetite is still burning as brightly as ever. And it seems he’s chosen the second option."