James Tavernier’s Guard of Honour Stance Haunts Him as Celtic Claim Another Title
Rangers captain James Tavernier has found himself at the center of a recurring controversy in Scottish football: the debate over whether Rangers should give Celtic a guard of honour after the Hoops’ latest trophy triumph in the 2024–25 Scottish Premiership. Celtic’s 55th league title, secured with a commanding campaign, has reignited discussions about sportsmanship in the Old Firm rivalry, with Tavernier’s past comments on the tradition casting a long shadow.
In 2016, Tavernier praised Alloa Athletic for forming a guard of honour after Rangers won the Scottish Championship, tweeting, “Great respect to
@AlloaAthleticFC
for the guard of honour today!! True sportsmanship unlike some!!” The jab was aimed at Hibernian, who had refused to honour Rangers days earlier. Celtic fans have since seized on this tweet, resurfacing it whenever the Hoops clinch a title, as they did in May 2023 and again in 2024, to question Tavernier’s consistency. The expectation of a guard of honour from Rangers, especially at Ibrox, remains a contentious issue, with Tavernier’s words used to highlight perceived hypocrisy.
Tavernier has largely avoided direct comments on the guard of honour debate in recent years, particularly after Celtic’s 2024–25 title win. However, his silence speaks volumes in a rivalry where gestures carry weight. Rangers have consistently refused to offer Celtic a guard of honour, a stance backed by former manager Steven Gerrard in 2019, who said the club’s decision was above his pay grade. This pattern continued into 2025, with Rangers’ 3–0 Old Firm win in January 2025 overshadowed by Celtic’s subsequent title clinching. Sources close to the club suggest Tavernier, now in his 10th season at Ibrox, aligns with the club’s position, viewing the gesture as unnecessary in the context of the bitter rivalry.
Celtic’s dominance—120 major trophies to Rangers’ 118, including eight domestic trebles and a 1967 European Cup—adds fuel to the debate. Fans argue that Rangers’ refusal reflects pettiness, especially given Tavernier’s 2016 praise for “true sportsmanship.” Yet, Rangers supporters counter that the guard of honour is a hollow tradition, incompatible with the animosity of the Old Firm. As one fan blog noted in 2025, “They don’t believe anyone else deserves to be honoured,” pointing to Rangers’ sense of self-styled supremacy.
Tavernier’s leadership has been tested beyond this issue. After a 3–0 loss to Celtic in September 2024, he faced fan backlash, responding to TNT Sports, “I’m a strong character and I can always continue no matter what comes my way.” His resilience is notable, but the guard of honour saga remains a sticking point. Celtic’s John Kennedy justified their own refusal to honour Rangers in 2021, citing a lack of reciprocity in 2019, a cycle of tit-for-tat that Tavernier’s tweet inadvertently perpetuated.
Ultimately, Tavernier’s 2016 remarks continue to haunt him, a reminder that words carry weight in Glasgow’s footballing cauldron. As Celtic bask in their latest glory, the absence of a guard of honour underscores the rivalry’s enduring intensity.
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