James Tavernier on his lingering Rangers regret as he names the 'haunting' result worse than any Hampden heartbreak

James Tavernier still can’t shake the suffering in Seville.

Last week marked the second anniversary of Rangers’ date with destiny, the night where for 12 minutes the Light Blues skipper and his team-mates dreamed of becoming Ibrox immortals. In the end, Europa League glory was snatched away from Tavernier and co by the cruellest of methods. That spot-kick defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt remains the most gut-wrenching moment of the Englishman’s nine-year stay in Scotland.

But you could argue that it is not the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan but Hampden which is the Gers captain’s true house of pain. Yes there’s been triumphs. Tavernier’s first visit to the National Stadium came in 2016 as the club was still clambering it’s way out of the lower leagues. A stunning volley from the right-back capped a Challenge Cup win over Peterhead.

Then, only a week later, came that remarkable penalty shoot-out win as Mark Warburton’s Championship outfit stunned top-flight Celtic. Latterly, Tavernier’s had a Scottish Cup success over Hearts to soothe the anguish of Seville. He lapped up this season’s Viaplay Cup victory, again sealed by a trademark strike from the man with the armband.

But those highs are smothered by the agony of the brutal lows Tavernier’s Rangers have also endured on the slopes of Mount Florida. Think back to the mayhem of their 2016 Scottish Cup Final loss to Hibs, the shock slip ups to Motherwell, Aberdeen and Hibs again, the repeated skelpings from their Old Firm rivals.

However, today as he leads his team out to take on the Hoops again, Tavernier has the chance to make it four straight wins and for the first time perhaps, feel a little bit more at home at Hampden. Asked to reflect on the 19 games he’s played at the