James Tavernier between Rangers 'heaven or hell' as Philippe Clement tells skipper to suck it up

Philippe Clement insists James Tavernier has to accept the flak - because it’s part and parcel of being Rangers captain.

The Englishman has come in for heavy criticism throughout his nine years at Ibrox and again was targeted by angry punters after Sunday’s dismal defeat in Dingwall. That’s despite Tavernier breaking a British record for goals scored by a defender this season after netting a remarkable 133 times from right back.

But Clement reckons being in the line of fire is part of the job and revealed the 32-year-old himself was the first to admit he wasn’t good enough at the weekend. Clement - who wore the armband as a player at Club Brugge - said: “That's part of being a captain, I have also been in that position. As captain you're a symbol of the club and when things go well you're the main man with all the praise and spotlight.

“In this age it's different, every three days it is heaven or hell and then you get more stick. That's part of the job.

“Tav is ready for that also, it's not his first experience. He's also had a lot of praise he deserved this season.

“Was he good on Sunday? No. He was also the first to recognise that. There was not really one on the pitch who was really good and they know that. They understand and want to react.”

Clement insists he has no concerns about his players’ confidence taking a dent in Dingwall. He said: “I don’t think so. If that is the case then you are not at your place at Rangers.

“If you lose your belief with one bad performance or losing points, then you are not ready for that and to fight for trophies, to fight for titles. It is just part of the journey.

“What are the good teams? The teams who make faults and they react directly and they don’t lose belief.

“That is part of being a winner and a successful player and it is that kind of player that we need here in the building to achieve what we want to achieve altogether.

“It's an interesting one again so I will get to know the team better to make the right decisions towards next season, doesn't mean it's only about tomorrow.

“It will always be after the seven, eight months together. These are important moments to show as a player I am here of course.”

Rangers will again be without Ridvan Yilmaz and Mohamed Diomande in Tayside while Leon Balogun misses out through sickness. Clement said: “Mohamed, I hope to have him back for the cup semi-final. Ridvan is closer day by day.

“He will come back but it's difficult for me to say if it's a few days or two weeks but I am sure it is not going to be long term anymore. He's on the pitch training individually and taking steps but not training with the squad yet.