James Tavernier has hit back at Chris Sutton’s claim that he’ll be known as a serial loser if Celtic win the League Cup on Sunday.
Mark Warburton splashed out £200,000 to sign the defender from Wigan Athletic in 2015 with Tavbarely missing a match since moving north of the border.
Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace have moved on leaving the 28-year-old as the longest serving player at Ibrox.
The last three season’s have brought unprecedented success to Celtic with Tav put in front of the media to talk things up after every set-back.
Typical of Sutton he waded straight to the heart of the matter by telling newspapers that defeat on Sunday would leave Steven Gerrard being branded the nearly manager with his captain tagged as a serial loser.
?? JT: People’s comments are irrelevant, I am here to do a job and fully believe in this squad and what we are capable of doing. We have to win games and win trophies, we haven’t come here to be second best. We have to win silverware for the fans.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) December 6, 2019
?? JT: Since the gaffer gave me the armband I have enjoyed the responsibility and the role, it makes we want to do better for the boys, the manager and the club. I want to repay everyone with a trophy.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) December 6, 2019
?? JT: We didn’t compete and get in their faces last time, we know it will be battle and we have to go toe-to-toe with them. Me, the gaffer & the senior players will make sure all the boy are up for the occasion. I don’t think it comes down to form, it is who wants it on the day.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) December 6, 2019
During the March Glasgow derby a misplaced pass from Tavernier presented Callum McGregor with the opportunity that James Forrest converted for the winning goal.
Over 90 minutes Tav has had two wins over Celtic but also suffered 5-1 defeats at Ibrox and Celtic Park plus a 4-0 Scottish Cup semi-final defeat in 2018.