Philippe Clement admits it was “never an easy decision” to drop skipper James Tavernier ahead of Rangers’ 1-1 Europa League draw with Olympiacos.
The 33-year-old has been almost an ever-present when fit since arriving in 2015 but there has been growing criticism over his performances this season and the Gers boss took a big decision to replace him with right-back Dujon Sterling in Greece.
The Ibrox side played well and should have been ahead by the interval but Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side took the lead in the 56th minute through Moroccan forward Ayoub El Kaabi.
However, Gers striker Cyriel Dessers levelled eight minutes later to leave the Light Blues with seven points from 12 with four fixtures remaining.
Clement, whose assessed the game as “a very strong performance” but there was “disappointment that we didn’t win” was asked about the Tavernier call and said: “That’s never an easy decision but I want more than one captain in the group.
“Also, if you get to a certain age, you cannot play 60 games anymore at the same level. So, that’s normal. We knew that before the season. We talked about that before the season also.
“Tav is just the captain. He will continue like that and he will play more games this season. It’s about competition for the spots for everybody.
“It’s not about one player or one ego or one thing. It’s about one team. It’s about winning together.
“And he showed it also. Now and in the last couple of weeks also, by playing in a higher position in moments and doing the job for the team. So, that’s what I expect.
“That’s Rangers. One team, one family. Everybody going for one thing.”
Rangers play Nice in France later in the month, then welcome Tottenham to Ibrox before facing Manchester United at Old Trafford and finishing off with the visit of Union Saint-Gilloise to Glasgow.
Clement refused to put a limit on the club’s points potential, despite having to face two of English football’s superpowers.
He said: “I never settle about things. I don’t put goals also before the games because that means that you start to calculate that against certain teams you cannot get points. It’s impossible. I don’t believe in that.
“I’ve seen enough when I was a player or a manager that miracles are possible if you go for it.
“So we will go for that the next months against these really big teams.
“So I think we are on track, to take these seven points. I hoped it was nine.
“I think it was possible today. We had the chances to win this game.
“So in that part the disappointment is there. But it’s not about calculating.
“It’s the next couple of months. To dig in every time in these European games and make it a special night.
“In that way I need to give praise also to the fans who were here today.
“Because we came here an hour and a half before the game and they were already singing, creating a very positive atmosphere during the game, after the game and it gives a lot of energy to my team also.
“So I’m very happy to see that also.”
Interim boss Stephen Frail expects Motherwell to appoint a new manager next week and admits their first job will be to lift the players’ confidence after a 3-0 mauling at home to Ross County.A double from Ronan Hale and Connor Randall’s last-minute strike secured an impressive victory for the Staggies at Fir Park.Defeat sees the Steelmen drop into the bottom half of the Premiership tab...
Mark Hughes heaped praise on goalkeeper Gabe Breeze after Carlisle picked up a vital point in the League Two relegation battle with a goalless draw against in-form Colchester at Brunton Park.Breeze made two excellent saves from Lyle Taylor as the Cumbrians ended a four-game losing run and the former Man City boss was astounded by the 21-year-old’s performance.He said: “The game had som...
Chesterfield boss Paul Cook launched a scathing attack on his play-off hopefuls after they surrendered an early lead to lose 3-1 at Sky Bet League Two table-toppers Walsall.The Spireites enjoyed a rapid start when Jamie Grimes’ eighth-minute header put them ahead against a wobbling Walsall side, who were winless in five matches with the chasing pack closing in.However, Bim Pepple and Dylan D...
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has allayed fears of an injury scare to top scorer Erling Haaland ahead of next week’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid.Haaland went down clutching his leg in the latter stages of the champions’ 4-0 Premier League thrashing of Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and was immediately substituted.Losing the Norwegian would be a major blow to ...
Rotherham manager Steve Evans described Thomas Parsons’ performance as “atrocious” after the referee awarded a stoppage-time penalty from which Reading snatched a 2-1 victory in League One.Reading had led 1-0 at half-time through top scorer Harvey Knibbs but Sam Nombe levelled for Rotherham from a spot-kick in the 57th minute.With the game heading for a draw, Parsons adjudged Mil...
Michael Flynn believes his team can make a charge towards the League Two play-offs places after watching them come from 2-0 down to beat Barrow 3-2 at home.Matty Taylor scored twice before fellow substitute Ashley Hay hit the winner as the Robins continued their perfect home record in 2025.Cheltenham climbed to 13th in the table and sit eight points off seventh-placed Crewe with two games in hand....
Birmingham manager Chris Davies praised Jay Stansfield’s work ethic after he lit up St Andrew’s with the only goal of a 1-0 win to sink play-off chasing Charlton.Stansfield’s 23rd-minute strike stretched City’s lead to nine points ahead of second-placed Wycombe, with Blues boasting a game in hand.Victory was City’s 30th in all competitions as they extended their unbea...
Andoni Iraola refused to get carried away after Bournemouth fans were left dreaming of a potential Champions League adventure following a first league double over south-coast rivals Southampton.Travelling Cherries fans chanted of playing in European football’s premier competition next season after their side soared to fifth spot in the Premier League table thanks to a deserved 3-1 success at...
Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup praised his side for fighting back to draw 1-1 at Hull after he demanded “I want to see my football team back”.The Norwich boss had some tough words for his team as they trailed 1-0 at half-time to the relegation-threatened side, including for Kellen Fisher – but the player then delivered the assist for Josh Sargent’s equaliser.The Un...
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Jota has a chance of starting against Bayern Munich after scoring and impressing in a 3-0 victory over Dundee United.Jota earned the club’s man-of-the-match award after cutting in from the left and curling home from 18 yards to double the lead given to the hosts by another impressive finish from Callum McGregor.The Portuguese winger has now started two gam...
