For a long time, James Tavernier was untouchable in the Rangers team.
The captain was one of the teams biggest goal threat and creative outlets from right-back, scoring goals aplenty as well as assisting, both from set-pieces and from open play.
But in recent times, his place in the team has started to be questioned by fans and punsits.
Some think he could do with more of a result while others wonder if it’s even more serious than that.
And manager Philippe Clement has now shown he is not averse to taking Tavernier out of the firing line.
Clement explains Rangers subbing of Tavernier
The first sign Clement was prepared to be strong with Tavernier was when he subbed after an hour of the Lyon Europa League defeat. Gone were the days he would play every minute.
He then didn’t start the league game against St Mirren before completing 90 minutes against Aberdeen. Then came today’s subbing.
Clement has again explained it’s about making use of his squad and protecting the skipper who has played a lot of football.
He told the BBC: “It’s giving extra energy from other players, the other changes also. We have every three days a game, so we have to divide powers between all the players.
“You see Cerny today, who we missed really hard in Aberdeen. If you have a lot of new players, they need to show they are ready to play for Rangers and can play at the standards of Rangers.
“It’s a normal process we are going through, but of course I want it to go as fast as possible.”
Tavernier Rangers debate
Tavernier’s exclusion against the Buddies prompted plenty of debate.
You had Michael Stewart insisting he would have been ‘flabbergasted’ if the Rangers captain wasn’t playing in such a big game against Aberdeen.
While Alan Hutton insisted he would have been tempted to keep the 32-year-old on the bench for it with Neraysho Kashanwirjo more defensively capable in his eyes.
Stewart was of course correct with Tavernier playing the full match, but it has again been proved today that he is no longer untouchable.
