James Tavernier honed Rangers mentality during tough upbringing so flak doesn't fluster Bramley boy thanks to mum Bernie

Flicking through the pages of the sports sections or all the social media flak won’t have been an easy read for James Tavernier these past few weeks, had he bothered to check.

That the Rangers skipper chooses not to is probably wise. The headlines splashed across back pages and one thread after another on fan forums have spelt out a story of misery for Tav and his team-mates. It has been a disastrous start to the season which has all but left the Light Blues’ title aspirations scrunched up on the dressing-room floor.

But when it comes to dealing with those ready to write off both him and his team-mates in print and online, Tavernier is able to look back on the tough paper round he endured as a kid and take strength from the guiding hand he was lucky enough to have in the shape of mum Bernie. Born in Leeds, Tavernier’s life was turned upside down aged just four when his parents split.

He and Bernie would then set up home on the rough Leeds council estate of Bramley, where you didn’t have to go looking for the realities of life – they’d come seeking you out. But for all the difficulties of that tough upbringing, it hasn’t held Tavernier – nor younger brother Marcus, who stars for Bournemouth in the Premier League – from scaling the heights in football.

The challenging experiences he came through as a kid are now giving Tavernier the strength to carry on following Gers’ early-season troubles as he looks to type out a fresh chapter under new boss Philippe Clement. “I tend not to look at social media,” he said. “I’ve got three kids so I am very busy at home.

“I have never really been affected by social media. Everyone has their comments but it is down to me to know where I’m going wrong and how to improve myself.

“That’s the