Rangers captain James Tavernier sought to say goodbye at Ibrox by bringing forward an injection for an ankle knock, but he refused to participate in a 2-1 loss to Hibs after being told he would be among the substitutes. Tavernier received a commemorative shield before kick-off from club legend John Greig, then later said he felt deeply hurt and let down, calling the moment the most difficult and emotional of his career for him and his family. Danny Rohl maintained that he was transparent with Tavernier and that his job is to make decisions about who starts based on what benefits the team. Rohl said he suggested Tavernier could start or come off the bench, and that the final lineup is decided on match day after collecting information.
"Rohl insists he was "very transparent" with the defender, who is leaving under freedom of contract after 11 years. "My job is to make decisions, who starts," said the manager. "There's a huge difference between emotional decisions and decisions with emotions. "I was clear and open and it was also my wish and suggestion that he gets a proper goodbye on Wednesday," said Rohl. "But also at this time I always said to him, 'it could be you start, it could be you come from the bench'.""
"This is not the point. If you ask me what was in my head for this day, it was first to take three points, win a game, see Tav with his family walking in, take the plaque which he deserved, make a walk around the stadium and then finally get some minutes on the pitch. "If it's a starter or sub, this was for me. In the case of how I spoke with him, clearly, I gave him a suggestion.""
""He asked me if I'm a starter and I said, 'if nothing changes overnight, you will not start, but you will get your minutes on the pitch'. "My final decision, and this is the reason why I said 'if', it's always on match day I decide my team, three hours before the game, never overnight. "I took the picture, I collected information and this is also a""
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