Rangers captain Tavernier ‘vindicated’ after being cleared of dangerous driving

The lawyer for Rangers captain James Tavernier said his client feels “completely vindicated” after he was cleared of driving dangerously in Glasgow.

Aamer Anwar said the footballer always believed he had done “nothing wrong” when he was pulled over by police while driving home from Ibrox.

Sheriff McCarron found Tavernier not guilty of a single charge of dangerous driving after a trial lasting several hours at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday.

Two police officers told the court their vehicle had to travel at speeds of around 80mph in order to catch up with his Porsche 911 along Crown Road and Anniesland Road on April 21, 2021.

However, the sheriff said he was “troubled” by “inconsistencies” in the evidence from the constables.

Following the conclusion of the trial, Mr Anwar gave a statement to reporters and said of his client: “He feels completely vindicated.

“He could have taken the easy option when he was offered a fixed penalty notice, but he believed he did nothing wrong.

“As far as he’s concerned that’s the matter now over. He’s grateful to his legal team.”

Earlier, Tavernier gave evidence in the trial, where he denied driving at excessive speeds.

Under questioning from his defence agent John Scullion KC, the 31-year-old told the court his manager at the time – Steven Gerard – had been in a vehicle travelling behind him when police first noticed his car.

The Rangers captain told the court he was driving in a “normal manner” when police first saw him.

The Police Scotland constables had said they’d heard loud accelerating noises and saw the Porsche and a Mercedes AMG stop abruptly at traffic lights.

Mr Scullion asked Tavernier how football players behaved around their manager.

Tavernier replied: “With respect. When