Philippe Clement has ridiculed “silly stories” surrounding Rangers captain James Tavernier and a trip to Five Guys following the stunning victory over Hearts.
The Belgian manager was speaking after Rangers dismantled the Jambos 5-0 at Ibrox to move five points clear in the Scottish Premiership title race.
Rangers skipper James Tavernier once again played a key role in the game as goals from Mohamed Diomande, Oscar Cortes, Cyriel Dessers x 2, and Fabio Silva sent a firm title message.
But it was comments surrounding the Ibrox skipper come full-time which turned a few heads as Philippe Clement left one pundit with egg on his face.
Philippe Clement on James Tavernier Five Guys claims
Following the 3-0 victory over St Johnstone last weekend, outspoken pundit Gordon Parks took a cheap shot at Rangers captain James Tavernier.
Specifically, the Daily Record writer suggested that Tav’s “gravitas” wasn’t befitting of a Rangers captain, citing a post-match encounter with the Ibrox skipper in burger chain Five Guys as an example.
Responding to a question on the claims after the game, Philippe Clement categorically shut them down as “silly stories” stating that James Tavernier was with the team.
“People have told me some things,” said Clement.
“If I read that a player is there one hour after the final whistle – you know better because the player was with us in the stadium.
“All of these silly stories, I don’t pay any attention to them.”
Only one way for Rangers captain to silence doubters
Rangers fans are used to this sort of negative coverage whenever the club is doing well and we’re sure it’s something which will not have perturbed James Tavernier in the slightest.
The attack on the Gers skipper’s personality deflects from Rangers’ progress on the park and we’re sure no-one at Ibrox will have lost a wink of sleep over it.
With Philippe Clement suggesting the claims are an example of manufactured outrage, League Cup winning Rangers captain James Tavernier will continue going about his business this season.
There is still quite a way to go before the final whistle blows this campaign and the Ibrox skipper will be firmly focused on celebrating a treble haul come May.
If James Tavernier manages it, we reckon not even Gordon Parks could begrudge him a celebratory Five Guys come the summer!
