Scott Arfield leaps to Tavernier's defence as Rangers hero tells Philippe Clement captain's 'frustration' is justified

Tavernier has been supported by a former Rangers team-mate Scott Arfield after he was hooked weeks and was hooked in Sunday's semi final win against Motherwell

Scott Arfield has leapt to the defence of his former Rangers captain James Tavernier and believes that the players around the full back need to do more to shoulder the burden at Ibrox.

Skipper Tavernier has came under fire for his performances in recent weeks and was substituted by boss Philippe Clement with over half an hour remaining in the Gers 2-1 win over Motherwell in the Premier Sports Cup semi final on Sunday while the scores were level at 1-1. The 33-year-old was heavily linked with a move away from Govan last summer amid interest from Saudi Arabia and Turkey, but opted to remain at Ibrox under Clement. But Arfield - who played alongside Tavernier at Rangers between 2018 and 2023 and picked up winner's medals in the Premiership and Scottish Cup - has backed the under-fire captain to find his form again.

Speaking on Premier Sports' Scottish Football Social Club, he said: "He's never been a vocal captain, I would never put him in that category. Tav has always lead in a different way.

"But when you are the captain of that club, you need to front it and are going to get the burden of it. His performances have dipped at a crucial time but he will always be available. I know he got taken off yesterday and was rested the week before but I cannot remember many times where he has not played minutes when he has been fit.

"In Glasgow, one team can be winning and one team can be losing which means one captain is going to get it. But he has got the temperament and mentality to get back to the James Tavernier that Rangers fell in love with for many years."

Arfield, 36 and now at Bolton Wanderers in EFL League One, also reckons that Tavernier suffers more than any other player at Ibrox when things go badly. "I think his frustration must be so valid", he added. "See when (Cyriel) Dessers misses big chances, I bet you Tav feels it more than Dessers does.

"He knows that if he (Dessers) doesn't put that in and the result doesn't go their way he is the one who is getting it, not Dessers. So I think he needs other players to pull him out in big moments to get that momentum back and escape criticism for a week or two and get back to what he was."

Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football.