Philippe Clement insists Rangers skipper James Tavernier deserved fans’ generous applause when he was substituted late in the 3-0 home Premier Sports Cup win over Dundee.
The Gers skipper took the brunt of abuse for the thumping 3-0 William Hill Premiership defeat at Celtic Park at the start of the month and was confronted by one angry fan as he left Ibrox to collect his car later in the day.
However, Tavernier played a huge part in the win over the Taysiders, setting up striker Cyriel Dessers for the opener and doubling Rangers’ lead from the penalty spot early in the second half before Dessers grabbed his second to put the home side into the semi-final draw.
Fans showed their appreciation in the 81st minute when Tavernier made way for debutant Neraysho Kasanwirjo and afterwards Clement said: “It’s normal. He played a good game and he deserves that.
“Maybe after the Celtic game we have a few individuals who crossed a certain line, which is not good.
“I understand the frustration. But there are a lot of people who understand the value that Tav has for this squad and that’s also good for him to feel that.
“But that’s the life of being a captain in a big club. You’re the symbol in the good days and then it’s nice. Like today.
“And in the difficult days you’re also the one everybody looks at.
“But that’s the life of being a captain or a manager in that kind of club.
“So you need to embrace that also. And he did in the last couple of weeks, he worked hard. He wanted to dig in, to come back strong.
“And he helped all the young lads in their integration also because he has an important job in that.”
Clement was pleased to return to Ibrox for the first time since May 14, when they beat Dundee 5-2 in the league.
The Light Blues had to play their home games at Hampden Park since the start of the season while delayed refurbishment took place on the Copland Stand, which was still only partially open.
Clement said: “We’ve been playing two-three months, only away games (this season). So that’s really difficult as a team.
“So we were super happy to be back. And I’m happy also that the players could give this performance also because we wanted to give the fans something special.
“But of course we should have scored maybe six or seven today and to be more clinical in that way. We need to keep on working on that.”
Disappointed Dundee boss Tony Docherty claimed the game was “won in both boxes”, adding: “The three goals we lost were defensively poor.
“But we also had good opportunities to score ourselves, especially in the second half. We had a really good chance from (Simon) Murray and others from (Seb) Palmer-Houlden and (Scott) Tiffoney.
“When you come to places like this against good sides, it’s important not to be wasteful in front of goal.
“And it’s about moments. You can’t give the opposition chances and we did that.
“With it being 1-0 at half-time we were still in the game and could have got the next goal.
“But the penalty is poor from our point of view. Mo (Sylla) got caught on the wrong side and gave the ref a decision to make.
“I do think the penalty was soft and that gave Rangers an opportunity to score a second. I’m disappointed that our cup run has come to an end.”
