James Tavernier sees Rangers penalty confession spark gag fest as stewing Celtic punters erupt in Hotline fury

Phillipe Clement might not be in party mood yet but Rangers fans were getting giddy on the Hotline after the new boss made it four wins from five games to reach the Viaplay Cup Final.

A James Tavernier double helped the Ibrox side past Hearts in Sunday’s semi to set up a Hampden showpiece against Aberdeen next month for the first silverware of the season.

And Alan McGaw, Alloa, said: “Well done Rangers on reaching the final after an excellent display against Hearts. We were deserved winners. What a difference Phillipe Clement has made to Rangers play. It’s his tactics now and it’s certainly working well. Nothing is won yet till we lift the trophy next month so a few games to go to build up for the final.” Irwin Houston, Giffnock, added: “Congratulations to Rangers. A magnificent result and a fabulous strike from Tavernier. He was superb and I love his new goal celebration, batting away the criticism he has been getting from various quarters.”

But Bill Waugh, having read Tavernier's methodology behind his spot kicks in this newspaper ahead of the game, emailed: “So Tavernier thinks two days before a game where he’s going to put his penalty. That lets you know that he knows he’s going to get one. That’s his Tuesday, Thursday and Friday taken care of then.”

And so the positivity began to drain away. Helen McLean, Inverness, said: “Once again a soft penalty for Rangers just when they need one from our highly suspect officials. Danilo is clearly falling down into the Hearts keeper long before contact is made and it’s just another example of the same old suspects falling over themselves to help out Rangers, we need foreign referees in to handle their games pronto.”

Meanwhile, Arthur Wyllie emailed: “I would like to