James Tavernier has divided Rangers fans for years. Some supporters defended him fiercely while others blamed him for almost every failure at Ibrox. Yet after the dramatic fallout with Danny Rohl this week there now appears to be overwhelming agreement among the Rangers support. Fans have picked their side in the Rangers manager situation and the result is utterly devastating for the German coach.
The latest Ibrox Noise poll asked supporters one simple question after reports emerged of a major bust up between Rohl and Tavernier. The clash allegedly resulted in the Rangers captain missing the Hibernian matchday squad entirely which also meant he missed what may well prove to be his final appearance at Ibrox.
The outcome of the poll was absolutely brutal.
Rangers fans back their captain
Over 1000 supporters voted (thus far) and the result delivered a crushing message to the Rangers hierarchy. A staggering 94% sided with Tavernier while only 6% backed Rohl.
That is not dissatisfaction. That is total rejection.
Supporters clearly believe the manager handled this situation disastrously. Whatever fans think about Tavernier overall many simply could not accept the idea of the captain being denied a proper Ibrox farewell after everything he has given the club over the last decade.
Moreover, many supporters already feel Rohl has alienated too many players behind the scenes. Consequently, this latest incident only strengthened the growing belief that the dressing room situation at Rangers has become toxic.
The final Ibrox appearance controversy
The biggest issue for many fans centres on timing.
If Tavernier truly is leaving Rangers this summer then the Hibernian match represented his final home appearance in front of the Ibrox support. Instead of receiving a send off the captain vanished from the squad entirely following the reported disagreement with Rohl.
Fans reacted furiously to that possibility.
Even supporters who wanted Tavernier replaced long term still acknowledged his service to Rangers FC. After all, the right back captained the club through some huge European nights and remained loyal during difficult periods for the club.
Therefore, many supporters viewed the decision as disrespectful and unnecessary. The reports surrounding the fallout only intensified supporter anger.
The Rangers manager situation now looks even worse because fans increasingly believe Rohl creates conflict instead of unity.
Pressure continues to grow
This latest controversy arrives after weeks of disastrous results and growing supporter unrest. Defeats against Celtic Hearts and Motherwell already left the manager under enormous pressure.
Furthermore, reports involving dressing room disagreements with players such as Nico Raskin and Derek Cornelius had already damaged confidence in Rohl’s leadership.
Now Tavernier joins that list.
Consequently, supporters increasingly fear the manager has lost control behind the scenes at Ibrox. Even external reaction from other Rangers observers points towards deep concern over the current direction.
What happens next at Ibrox
The problem for the Rangers board now becomes obvious. Publicly backing Rohl becomes far more difficult when the support sides so heavily against him in such a direct conflict.
The numbers from this poll leave no room for interpretation.
Right now Rangers fans stand overwhelmingly behind James Tavernier. Meanwhile, confidence in Danny Rohl appears close to collapse after one of the most explosive weeks of his troubled reign at Ibrox. Indeed, uncertainty surrounding Rohl preparing for next season now feels greater than ever while fresh details about the row continue emerging around Ibrox.