NEVER AGAIN

Tavernier says Rangers' under-fire players know Brugge battering was unacceptable ...and vows it's last time they'll feel so low

- BY SCOTT MCDERMOTT

JAMES TAVERNIER has suffered a few low blows in his time at Rangers.

Of course, the Ibrox captain led the club to a league title in 2021 and a Europa League Final a year later.

But in his decade-long stint at Gers, he’s also experienced proper pain. And Wednesday night’s humiliation in Belgium was arguably the most excruciating yet.

The 6-0 drubbing by Club Brugge didn't just end their Champions League hopes.

It left new boss Russell Martin fighting to cling on to his job.

And for the raft of new players who arrived this summer, serious questions are now being asked about whether they can cut it in Glasgow.

Tavernier has experienced several setbacks in his 10 years at Rangers. But the Brugge capitulation equalled the club's worst ever result.

That's why the 33-year-old had to lead crisis talks in the away dressing-room at the Jan Breydel Stadium in the aftermath.

Tav told teammates they had to take full responsibility for the disastrous defeat.

And they made a pact that they'll NEVER feel like that again while they're still at Ibrox.

Somehow, a beleaguered squad have to raise their game for the first Old Firm derby of the season against Celtic tomorrow.

And Tavernier said: “I feel angry. And as a team, we have to hold ourselves accountable.

“We have to apologise to the fans who went to Belgium and watched back at home. We know how early it is in the season but our aspiration was to reach the Champions League.