Rangers captain James Tavernier is confident they will bounce back from another frustrating derby experience as full focus turns on the league.
Tavernier talks on Old Firm defeat and contract situation
Danny Rohl’s side exited the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup on penalties against Celtic despite dominating for the majority of a goalless 120 minutes.
The second knockout defeat against Celtic this season came seven days after Rangers blew a two-goal half-time lead to draw with their city rivals.
The home side recorded 24 shots at goal at Ibrox but rarely troubled goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo, although the Finn was grateful for several last-ditch blocks by his team-mates.
Rangers’ struggles in front of goal continued when Tavernier hit the crossbar with the first penalty, and Djeidi Gassama then blazed over to allow Celtic to seal a 4-2 shoot-out win.
Tavernier, who started on the bench, said: “I’ve got to obviously hold responsibility. I’ve got to put my penalty away. I expect myself to set a standard in a penalty shoot-out.
“Games are always defined by clinical moments, and that was obviously lacking. We did everything but score a goal in this game. And we’ll look back on it, we’ll learn from it.
“We’ve got 27 points to play for, and that’s what we’ll be aiming for. It’s obviously our main focus now. The boys will bounce back from this, I’m sure.”
The legendary Manchester United pair had different opinions…
Rohl was appointed eight games into the William Hill Premiership season with Rangers in sixth place, 13 points behind leaders Hearts. They now sit third with a six-point deficit on Derek McInnes’ side.
Ahead of their clash at St Mirren on Sunday, Tavernier said: “If you look at the start of the season, of where we were at, and to where we are now, the boys have really come together, put in performances and put in results.
“But obviously we’ve come back from setbacks, so I’ve got more confidence in these boys.”
Tavernier has played 45 games this season and the right-back is Rangers’ top scorer with 12 goals, but he has been in and out of the starting line-up recently with Dujon Sterling preferred in both games against Celtic this month.
The 34-year-old’s future is uncertain beyond the summer when his contract expires, but he is just trying to affect what he can by putting himself forward for selection.
“It’s down to the manager,” he said. “I obviously want to play, but the manager holds the cards to all of it and what team he selects, and you’ve just got to be fully behind whatever team he selects. You’ve just got to keep working hard.
“Obviously I want to play more games, more minutes. But it’s down to the manager, who and what he selects, and you’ve got to respect that.”
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The Gers’ only chance at a trophy now is to catch Hearts…
Tavernier was quizzed on his contract situation and his desire to go out on a high if he is not offered a new deal.
“I just want to give it my all, like I’ve always done, and that’s the best I possibly can do for myself,” he added. “The team are working continuously hard and we’d obviously like to see silverware at the end of the season, but it’s game by game.”
Rangers set to back Rohl with two big deals this summer
Football FanCast revealed last month that talks have already begun to bring Mikey Moore back to Ibrox this summer on a permanent deal, and sources understand he is likely to eclipse the club’s record fee spent on Tore André Flo.
|
Player |
Fee |
Signed from |
|---|---|---|
|
Tore Andre Flo |
£12m |
Chelsea |
|
Youssef Chermiti |
£8m |
Everton |
|
Ryan Kent |
£7m |
Liverpool |
|
Michael Ball |
£6.5m |
Everton |
|
Mikel Arteta |
£6m |
Barcelona |
|
Danilo |
£6m |
Feyenoord |
We can also reveal the Gers will double down in the efforts to not only stick with Rohl but back him in the market, and also expect to bring in a top new centre-back to compete with Emmanuel Fernandez and John Souttar.
The new arrival will almost certainly become the club’s record defensive signing, ahead of the £6.5m spent on Michael Ball way back in 2001.
Despite their trophy hopes now being down to catching Hearts from a six-point deficit in the Premiership, the club believe they are very much heading in the right direction under Rohl and have no intentions of parting ways with the former Sheffield Wednesday boss.