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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

James Tavernier issues response to Rangers fans' banner

James Tavernier has responded to the banner held aloft by Rangers fans prior to their win over St Mirren today.

The section of the Rangers faithful took aim at the players, with their message reading 'Heartless. Passionless. Leaderless. Not fit to wear our colours'.

Steven Davis would guide the team to a comfortable 3-0 win in Paisley to end a horrific week on a positive note, as they claimed all three points in the Premiership clash.

Tavernier netted twice in the game, as Abdallah Sima continued his fine form in front of goal to secure the victory, which takes Rangers back to within seven points of Celtic.

Speaking post-match, the captain was asked directly about the criticism from the away end of the display before the game.

"I didn't see it to be fair," Tavernier claimed. "Obviously the fans are frustrated and we can understand. It's up to us to wear the shirt with pride and to give them the results that they want.

"We never go out to lose a game but we know that our performances haven't been the greatest. But we've got full belief, we've got great characters in that dressing room and it's about us as men standing up to the badge and delivering. 

"I'm always going to be questioned being the captain of the club with the responsibilities. I always try my hardest no matter what. I always try to fight for the team and the club and the players. I try to keep working hard and to lead by example. 

"I thought everyone was accounted for today. I thought Zak [Lovelace] started the game great, a young lad, then Ross [McCausland] came on and had a really good game. 

"As well as keeping together as a team, it's still early in the season so we need to build on this and move forward."

On the game itself, he added: "It was obviously needed, we needed to respond after a couple of bad performances. I thought we controlled the game well today, kept a clean sheet and got the three points. We're happy.

"I thought we started the game well, we were getting down the sides and created chances. Nico could've scored in the first half, but the keeper saved it. We were putting balls into the box and kept asking them questions. 

"I didn't see what happened with the penalty, but we go 1-0 up and it's about building on that in the second half."

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