James Tavernier insulted Rangers fans in Champions League 'bonus' claim and should apologise for his apology - Chris Sutton

Rangers fans were not too happy with James Tavernier swerving the BT Sport cameras after the Liverpool humiliation the other night but he did come out 24 hours later with an attempt at an explanation. If I was a supporter I wouldn’t be upset at the timing – I’d be more angry at the message.

Tavernier held his hands up and admitted it wasn’t good enough. He said sorry and all the other things you’d expect. But it was his line at the end that set alarm bells ringing for me. “The Champions League is a great bonus for us,” he said. “Obviously we want to do our best in it, but the main focus is the league and domestic cups.”

Really? Tavernier should come straight back out and apologise for his apology. What kind of attitude is that? Listen, Tavernier has been a decent Rangers captain. He had his struggles over the years but he led the side to a title win. They ended Celtic’ s bid for 10, won the Scottish Cup and led the team to the Europa League Final. All great achievements.

But he doesn’t do himself any favours with this stuff. If the Champions League was just a bonus and the league and cup are the main things, why not just play the kids in Napoli then? Why charge fans top dollar to get into Ibrox and let them cough up fortunes travelling across the continent to support their team.

It just smacks of a lack of ambition and an acceptance that this competition is just about turning up and picking up a few bob. It has to be more than that.

Look across the city and the response from Celtic. I’ve never seen Ange Postecoglou look so crestfallen as he did after losing to Leipzig. It was another defeat and we can debate about the way he sends his team out to play in these matches.

I get that and I’ve said previously he should