Rangers captain James Tavernier has branded the club’s Scottish Cup humiliation against Queen’s Park as ‘shocking’ and ‘unacceptable’ — as a sense of mutiny continues to engulf the Ibrox club.
Already enduring a torrid domestic campaign, Rangers were plunged into a full-blown crisis when they lost 1-0 at home to Championship outfit Queen’s Park on Sunday.
One of the most embarrassing results in the club’s history, the defeat saw large sections of a furious Rangers support call for manager Philippe Clement to be sacked with immediate effect.
Clement insisted afterwards that he would not offer his resignation, having only signed a bumper new contract extension — which runs until 2028 — at the start of the season.
Having lost the confidence of supporters, and with the atmosphere around the club turning toxic, the under-fire Belgian is clinging to his job.
He may yet be allowed to limp on and see out the remainder of the European campaign, with Rangers having secured a place in the last 16 of the Europa League. But, on the domestic front, their season has been an abomination — and Tavernier insists the prospect of a trophyless campaign simply is not good enough.
James Tavernier reacts after his missed spot-kick at the death saw Rangers fall to defeat
The Ibrox skipper insisted it was ‘unacceptable’ for Rangers to lose to a Championship side
Queen’s Park goalkeeper Calum Ferrie leads the celebrations after the late drama at Ibrox
‘It’s unacceptable, simple as that,’ said Tavernier, who missed a late penalty that would have sent the game into extra-time.
‘We can’t be losing a game against a Championship team at home, can’t be shooting at goal 30-odd times and not being clinical enough.
‘We can’t be just conceding maybe a couple of chances against us, then we concede, so it’s unacceptable.
‘It’s rightly so that the fans are aggrieved at us, and we’ve fully got to take it, be responsible for what happened.
‘It’s not good enough. It’s another cup competition that we’re out of, and it’s not acceptable to go season after season and not pick up these trophies, so we have to reflect massively.
‘Through the season it’s been inconsistent, where we have a run of good games, then we hit a speed bump.
‘You can’t do that as a Rangers team and as Rangers players. You have to be consistent throughout the season if you want to compete for trophies.
‘European football is obviously a different game, but you’ve got to keep that consistency throughout the season if you want to be challenging.
‘We can’t be having a couple of chances and we concede off a second phase of a set-piece, and we can’t be wasteful in the final third.
‘There were too many shots and the keeper’s pulled off some good saves, but we should do more to put that ball in the back of the net with the quality that we have.
‘It’s not good enough, it’s as simple as that. We’ve got to be competing for these trophies, and Sunday was shocking for all of us.’
A well-drilled Queen’s Park side held Rangers at bay with growing confidence at Ibrox before substitute Seb Drozd put the Championship outfit ahead after 69 minutes with a well-taken goal.
Clement with Rangers defender Rafael Fernandes as he makes way for John Souttar
Clement’s side were handed a lifeline in stoppage-time when they were awarded a penalty but Queen’s keeper Calum Ferrie brilliantly saved Tavernier’s spot-kick.
Rangers were then booed off the pitch by furious supporters after the fifth-round tie ended in embarrassment for the club and everyone associated with it.
Clement’s side are now highly unlikely to win a domestic trophy this term as they sit 13 points behind Premiership leaders Celtic, who won the Old Firm Premier Sports Cup final in December.
‘I’ve got to take account of myself on the penalty, and take account of my performance, and everyone else who was asked to play has to do that,’ said Tavernier. ‘Everyone has to take accountability.
‘You’ve got to win games, and that’s what the fans want us to do. They want us to win games and show performances that’s worthy of their backing.’
