Philp Clement finally found the courage to drop James Tavernier, a decision that has been welcomed with open arms by angry bears.
After a nightmare finish to last season the former Wigan ace carried that form into the new campaign as his side crashed out of the Champions League and quickly found themselves trailing in third place in the SPFL.
Despite a campaign to discredit Tavernier and strip him of the captaincy he has been a regular on the team-sheet bar the recent SPFL match at home to St Mirren.
Following his 33rd birthday last week Tavpen told a media conference that he has been pleased by his form but against Motherwell at Hampden he was booed by his own fans before the decision to substitute him was made.
Last night Dujon Sterling started at right-back, when he picked up an injury early in the second half Neraysho Kasanwirjo came off the bench with Tavernier restricted to a five minute run-out on the right wing in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw.
Rather than cushion the decision as part of squad rotation Clement told The Sun that the Hall of Fame legend was dropped:
That’s never an easy decision, but I want more than one captain in the group. Also, if you come to a certain age, you cannot play 60 games any more at the same level. So, that’s normal.
We knew that before the season. We talked about that before the season. Tav is just a captain. He will continue like that and he will play more games this season. It’s about competition for the spots for everybody.
With a contract running until May 2026 and a Testimonial match expected early next season Tavernier won’t be getting shipped out in January.
Sterling’s injury looks like opening a vacancy at right-back against Hearts on Sunday leaving Clement to decide between his captain and on loan Feyenoord defender Kasanwirjo.
How many Champions League points will Celtic win?
11 points or less
12 points
13 points
14 points or more
?? “It’s always a difficult decision… at a certain age you cannot play 60 games at the same level.”
Philippe Clement on his decision to not start James Tavernier vs Olympiacos. pic.twitter.com/Ka3ZpzEcFa
— Joshua Barrie (@JoshuaBarrieRR) November 7, 2024
Lurch spouts some utter pish and has been found out more captains, young team, play on mars, celebrating a 3-3 draw but I suppose that is the best the knuckledraggers can get to run their shit show.
Editor: EXCITING young team.
I have a grudging respect for a Sevco ex-captain who has never(?) played the staunch card. Happy to be corrected, though.
Here we go ,we won a point in Greece against a poor under performing team ,now they can turn it around ,aye right wait till spurs and utd destroy them
Don’t forget to mention Celtic . Bad news comes in threes !
Raskin crying about playing 5 games one after other ,really isn’t that what training is all about quick enough at taking his money ,it,s kicking a ball about a pitch for 90mins FFS he,s no doing hard manual work or heavy lifting except his head . Earn your money and shut up whining ya trumpet blower