The Rangers flop should follow James Tavernier out of Ibrox

Glasgow Rangers fell further behind in the race to win the Scottish Premiership title on Sunday when they were beaten 3-2 by Motherwell at Ibrox.

The Gers moved four points behind Hearts after their 2-1 win at Hibernian, and finished the weekend in third place with four games to go in the campaign.

Danny Rohl has decided to drop captain James Tavernier to the bench after he started in the 6-3 win over Falkirk in the club’s last Premiership game.

The captain came on from the break and helped the Gers get back into the game at 2-2, winning 100% (4/4) of his aerial battles, but he could do nothing to prevent Motherwell’s victory.

Rohl may look back on the game and wonder if he made the right call by benching Tavernier for Dujon Sterling in the game.

Why James Tavernier should have started against Motherwell

It’s easy to say with the benefit of hindsight, but the Gers should have started their captain against Motherwell because it was the first game of separation and the first real sense of the right moment of the title race at Ibrox.

Having Tavernier, who has been and has been at the club, on the field to help the players in a difficult first half would have been useful, as the first 45 minutes were not good enough.

The Light Blues were beaten 2-0 and it was going to the break, which is why the German coach needs three players at the break, including Tavernier.

While he may have time to focus on defence, the England veteran still offers plenty of quality in the squad, leading in a number of creative metrics, and could have improved a lackluster first-half performance.

Tavernier is on his way out of Ibrox at the end of the season when his contract expires, having confirmed he will not sign an extension, and the defender is not the only player to be let go this summer.

The Rangers defender should follow James Tavernier out of Ibrox

The Rangers captain may not be the only defender to leave Ibrox and not return when the 2026/27 campaign begins with Rohl’s side.

Jayden Meghoma is currently on loan in Glasgow from Brentford until the end of the season, having been signed by Russell Martin last summer, and is not due back.

The young defender was subbed off at half-time in their 3-2 defeat to Motherwell after a poor opening 45 minutes that saw his side’s defense end on both goals.

Meghoma left the field at the break without playing anything, without a shot on target and without creating any chances, while giving very little to the team defensively, winning one duel. To make matters worse, his tally of 32 touches was also worse than goalkeeper Jack Butland’s 44.

The way he was playing was so poor that the manager had to take him out at half time, it should be the last time he starts a game for Rangers because Tuur Rommens is expected to return from injury when they face Hearts next weekend.

Meghoma should be used as a backup to the Belgian defender in the last four games before being sent back to Brentford, as a permanent option or another loan should not be pursued by the Gers.

The left-footed talent has had some good moments in a Rangers shirt, such as his stunning strike against Dundee United in December, but has not provided consistent quality for the Scottish giants.

Meghoma has lost 52% of Premiership doubles, in 28 games, and this shows that opposition players have found it too easy to beat him in physical battles.

He also went nine games without a goal or assist in the Premiership, with his last assist coming against Aberdeen in January, and the defender does not make up for his physical shortcomings with offensive quality.

That’s why the Gers should send Meghoma to Ibrox this summer, alongside Tavernier, and hire another left-back to compete with Rommens next season.

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