# Shocking Sacking: James Tavernier Axed as Rangers Captain and Booted from Squad After Hibs Clash
**Glasgow, September 22, 2025** – In a stunning twist that has stunned Scottish football, Rangers captain James Tavernier has been relieved of his duties and immediately excluded from the first-team squad, just minutes after a gritty 2-0 victory over Hibernian in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.
The 33-year-old defender, boasting over 526 appearances and a staggering 125 goals from right-back, sparked outrage in the tunnel scuffle following the final whistle. Reports indicate Tavernier clashed with Hibs staff over a disputed late foul on Kieron Bowie, for which he received a yellow card on the pitch. Insiders reveal he violated several club policies, including those on post-match conduct, player-staff interactions, and maintaining squad harmony amid ongoing fan unrest.
Manager Russell Martin, navigating a turbulent start to the season, wasted no time. “Accountability is non-negotiable for leaders,” Martin declared in an official club release. “James’s response crossed boundaries that erode our unity. This step safeguards the team’s focus.” Tavernier, recently vocal about the side’s “embarrassing” form after a Hearts loss, now enters an open-ended ban as probes continue.
The win, powered by goals from Nico Raskin—fresh from a disciplinary exile—and Bojan Miovski, offered brief respite for Rangers, mired in fifth in the Premiership post a 4-0 Celtic drubbing. Yet, pre-match protests by thousands of supporters amplified the pressure, with Martin’s embrace of chairman Andrew Cavenagh signaling fragile boardroom support. Tavernier’s milestone entry into Rangers’ top-10 appearances list now feels bittersweet.
Social media ignited with #TavernierOut surging, though die-hards lamented the “harsh” verdict. Ex-midfielder Barry Ferguson opined: “Tav’s trophies and goals are legendary, but discipline cuts both ways. Raskin’s emergence fits the bill now.” Whispers point to Raskin as interim skipper, with Ridvan Yilmaz primed for right-back duties amid Tavernier’s rumored Saudi suitors.
Under new U.S. ownership, this episode highlights deepening fractures at Ibrox. Can it rally the Bears, or fracture them further? Martin’s semi-final lineup will be telling.
About the Author
