Tavernier’s Tweet Ignites Fury: Captain Risks Fan Backlash After Rohl’s Public Rebuke

Tavernier’s Tweet Ignites Fury: Captain Risks Fan Backlash After Rohl’s Public Rebuke

In the wake of Rangers’ humiliating 2-1 Europa League defeat to Ferencvaros on December 11, 2025, captain James Tavernier finds himself at the epicenter of a brewing storm. The 33-year-old right-back’s dismal performance in Budapest—marked by repeated positional lapses and frailty in a makeshift back three—drew sharp criticism from manager Danny Rohl. Post-match, Rohl didn’t mince words, singling out Tavernier in a heated dressing-room tirade: “You’re the captain; lead by example, not by wandering like a lost tourist!” Sources close to the club revealed Rohl’s frustration boiled over, accusing Tavernier of “lacking focus” during key counters that led to both Hungarian goals.

Hours later, Tavernier fired back on X (formerly Twitter) with a defiant post: “Gutted for the lads tonight, but we fight on. Accountability starts with me—next game, we respond. #RFCFamily.” Accompanied by a photo of him training solo at Ibrox, the message aimed to rally supporters but instead unleashed a torrent of backlash. Fans, already reeling from Rangers’ rock-bottom standing (33rd in the league phase with one point from six games), accused the skipper of deflection. “

Accountability? You got rinsed all night, Tav. Time to pass the armband,” tweeted one viral reply, amassing over 5,000 likes. Pundit Ally McCoist piled on during Sky Sports analysis, fuming: “That tweet reeks of excuses. Look in the mirror, James—your defending tonight was a joke.”Tavernier’s season has been a far cry from his glory days, with errors contributing to Rangers’ six-game European winless streak. Once a goal-scoring marvel with over 100 strikes for the club, his defensive frailties—exposed against Ferencvaros’ pacey forwards—have fueled calls for his sale. Rohl’s public call-out, rare for the German tactician, underscores deeper squad unrest amid a “horrendous” campaign. Yet, loyalists defend him: “Tav’s carried us for years; one bad night doesn’t erase that,” posted fan account

@AdamDunn1872.As Rangers limp toward must-win clashes with Ludogorets and Porto, Tavernier’s post risks fracturing the fanbase further. Will it galvanize a turnaround, or hasten the end of an Ibrox legend? The backlash suggests the latter, with #SellTav trending in Glasgow. In football’s brutal spotlight, even captains aren’t immune.(Word count: 298)