GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: Rangers' James Tavernier at full time during a UEFA Europa League match between Rangers and KRC Genk at Ibrox Stadium, on September 25, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
In midweek, as he announced his Ibrox departure James Tavernier was being discussed in exulted tones.
Was he a legend or just an exceptional player. Some might describe him as a journeyman who landed exceptionally lucky.
With five matches left to play the stage was set for the perfect farewell to Captain Disappointed.
All of those failures, the pile of runners up medals and embarrassing interviews could have been put to bed. Win five matches and leave as a legend. With a fourth trophy win to his name.
Motherwell at home was such a pushover that the Player of the Year Awards were arranged for later on Sunday.
Danny Rohl arranged a five day training camp in Marbella where the emphasis was very much on team bonding.
What could possibly go wrong against a team that had taken one point from their previous five matches?
— Tam sellic son (@TamseIIicsonIII) April 27, 2026
Not one pundit on that panel can turn round and say.
He is a Rangers captain? Not in a HUNDRED THOUSAND YEARS.
It is now about this today. He has won three trophies, one with nae fans when he’s not got anybody to shout at him.
He is a guy who is covered in tattoos, drives aboot in a Lamborghini. That is a wee boy, not a man.
The 6-2 win at Falkirk had convinced Ibrox fans that Danny Rohl actually was the German pep.
Not just the odd looking guy in a blazer and brogues whose hair style hasn’t changed since he arrived at Ibrox in October.
What they forgot was that Falkirk breezed into a 2-0 lead in the final pre-split fixture.
TAVERNIER- THE LOSERS LOSER
Motherwell did the same. They held it to half-time. When the match went to 2-2 they never crumbled.
At times like that you need a real leader. A captain.
Someone to take control, to drive their team to victory by force of personality.
Captain Disappointed doesn’t have a personality.
Instead of organising on the pitch Tav was chasing goals for his personal glory.
In the 90th minute Stephen O’Donnell burst out of defence. He ran half the length of the pitch with Tavernier jogging back 20 yards adrift.
A pass left to Emmanuel Longelo and a deft header from Manny Fernandez and Motherwell were 3-2 in front.
Kevin Clancy came up with 10 minutes stoppage time.
There was no further scoring.
Tavernier tropped off disappointed, there will only be one more Ibrox appearance. Two more pay days. No Testimonial Match.
Meanwhile the angry bears are in no doubt about his contribution to the cause over the last 11 seasons.
Captain dissapointed lived up to his name, well out of position as per usual he was the author of his own disappointment for the decisive Motherwell goal. Jogging back just in time to be too late.
He will be sadly missed.