Steven Gerrard has vowed to stand by James Tavernier as he wears the armband of dignity.
The former Wigan Athletic utility man has had a nightmare start to the season with Ibrox fans slamming his latest run of errors.
After taking the lead away to Young Boys of Berne two presents from Tav handed the points to the Swiss side after the visitors looked on course for full points.
On Sunday at Tynecastle a fresh air header at ankle level presented Hearts with the opening goal as an opportunity was lost to go to the top of the SPFL.
Supporters have turned on Tav as the weakest link in the side but as he prepares his team to face Porto tonight Gerrard told the Daily Record that he won’t be ditching his trusted skipper.
What he doesn’t need is people he trusts and those around him to doubt him because that would be a mistake. We all know the player he is.
Nobody is undroppable but at the same time I’m not going to be the type of manager who stick a player in the bin and forgets about him when he makes a couple of mistakes.
James has enough in the bank with me and the team and supporters to know he will bounce back. I have no doubt he can go and perform incredibly well. He has to deal with that pressure and we will do our best to help him.
Tonight’s action in Portugal kicks off at 5.55, if Tav is the fall guy again the anger will switch from the skipper to Mr Gerrard.
