Rangers have endured another trophyless season, something that has been all too familiar a story since 2012.
Three trophies in nearly 10 years since returning to the Scottish Premiership is not an acceptable figure, compounded by Celtic cleaning up on the other side of the city.
There is a softness in the current Rangers squad, a lack of leadership, and senior players who have been there, done it, and got the t-shirt.
It was always going to be difficult to replace the likes of Allan McGregor, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield, but it doesn’t even look like Rangers have tried to.
Failure is never accepted at Rangers, but James Tavernier has been given a lesson in how a captain should respond to not reaching the targets being set.
- READ MORE: Rangers takeover ‘secured’ with hold up explained ahead of San Francisco 49ers announcement
James Vardy shows James Tavernier how lead to Rangers
Having won everything with Leicester City and even reached the latter stages of the Champions League, Jamie Vardy is well placed to give an honest assessment of their relegation from the Premier League.
Posting on Instagram, Vardy didn’t mince his words:
“Collectively, as players and as a club, we failed. There is simply no hiding, and I refuse to entertain any suggestion of doing so.
“Having been at this club for so long, we’ve experienced so many highs and successes, and this season has been nothing but miserable, and for me personally, a total embarrassment. It hurts, and I know you’re feeling it too.
“To the fans: I’m sorry. Sorry we haven’t performed, and sorry we end the 2025 season with such a ****show.”
Compare and contrast to Tavernier. The Hall of Fame Rangers captain has made a habit of posting compilation videos of his goals and free-kicks at the end of the season.
All of which are irrelevant to fans who aren’t interested in individual statistics, only silverware, and particularly the Scottish Premiership trophy.
The incident that shows Tavernier will never learn
There is no doubt that Tavernier tries his best and works hard.
He is also clearly a good captain behind the scenes given how many new players and youngsters praise Tavernier’s influence and how he helps them to settle into life at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
However….
Incidents like the second goal Rangers conceded against Athletic Club continue to blight his performances.
If he can’t defend his back post now, he isn’t going to learn.
Vardy could easily have posted something similar to Tavernier – “we’re disappointed, we will learn, we will work harder, etc, etc,” but he knows that these are empty words.
Empty words that Rangers fans have heard too often.
