FANS ARE STUNNED BY JAMES TAVERNIER INTERVIEW STATEMENT AFTER THE 3-1 DEFEAT – TAVERNER CLEARLY REVEALS HIS FEELINGS
Rangers captain James Tavernier has sent shockwaves through Scottish football after his explosive post-match comments following the 3–1 defeat to Celtic at Hampden Park in the Premiership semi-final.
The defender, visibly emotional and frustrated, gave one of the most outspoken interviews of his Rangers career accusing several Celtic players of being “too toxic & aggressive” and questioning their conduct on the pitch.
The remarks came just minutes after a heated encounter that ended Rangers’ hopes of silverware and handed Celtic another trip to the final. Tavernier’s words have since divided supporters, ignited debate across the country, and drawn widespread media attention.
The semi-final was supposed to be a chance for Rangers to restore pride and prove their resilience under new head coach Danny Röhl. Instead, it turned into another Celtic masterclass.
When the whistle blew, Celtic fans celebrated loudly while Rangers players trudged off in silence. But no one expected what was about to come next from their captain.
“They Are Too Toxic to Play Against”
Speaking to the broadcast cameras minutes after the match, Tavernier appeared composed at first but soon let his emotions spill out.
“It’s not just the result,” he began, his voice heavy with disappointment. “There’s a line in football you don’t cross and they crossed it all game.”
When pressed by the interviewer to elaborate, Tavernier didn’t hold back. “They talk all game, they provoke, It’s not passion, it’s poison, they want to kill, too aggressive. You can’t even have a fair match anymore, the official keeps their eyes open while all that is happening”
The Rangers skipper went on to defend his teammates, insisting they tried to stay focused amid what he described as “constant disrespect.”
“We gave everything we could, but when you’re up against that sort of behaviour, it’s hard to keep your head. I’ve played against Celtic many times, but today was different. It crossed the line. They’re too toxic to play against.”
The bluntness of his words sent immediate ripples through Scottish football. Within minutes, the clip was trending across social media, with thousands of fans and pundits reacting to his emotional outburst.
Mixed Reactions from Fans
Rangers supporters were split down the middle. Some applauded Tavernier for speaking from the heart, saying his comments reflected the frustration of fans who have watched the team struggle in recent Old Firm clashes.
“He finally said what we’ve all been thinking,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “The behaviour from some of those Celtic players was disgraceful pure provocation.”
Others, however, felt their captain should have shown more restraint. “That’s not what leaders do,” one supporter argued. “You take the loss, you regroup, you come back stronger. You don’t blame the other side for being passionate.”
Celtic fans, unsurprisingly, fired back with mockery and pride. One viral post read: “If passion and winning are toxic, we’ll stay toxic forever. Cheers, captain!”
Media and Manager Reactions
Pundits across Scotland also weighed in. Former players described Tavernier’s words as “raw” and “dangerously emotional,” warning that such statements can fuel future Old Firm tension.
BBC Sport analyst Stephen Thompson said, “You can understand his frustration, but this will follow him. Celtic won fair and square, and when emotions cool, he’ll probably regret the phrasing.”
Rangers boss Danny Röhl, who had given a furious six-minute post-match interview of his own last week, was more reserved this time. Speaking to reporters, he said,
“James is a passionate captain. He cares deeply about this club. The emotions after a defeat like that are high. We’ll handle it internally.”
Röhl refused to criticise his captain directly, adding only, “We need to focus on rebuilding. Talking about Celtic is not our way forward. We must look at ourselves first.”
Former Rangers players privately expressed concern that the remarks could strain relationships between the clubs further, while others praised Tavernier’s courage for speaking his truth.
What is clear is that the interview has amplified pressure on the Rangers dressing room. Some insiders say Röhl and his staff plan to address the issue in private discussions this week, aiming to refocus the squad ahead of their next fixture.
Tavernier, who has been at Ibrox since 2015 and captained the club through highs and lows, is no stranger to criticism. But this outburst might mark one of the most controversial moments of his Rangers tenure.
Despite scoring the lone Rangers goal from the penalty spot, his leadership and comments have become the central talking point of the weekend overshadowing both Celtic’s dominance and the tactical shortcomings of his own side.
Still, some argue that his raw honesty shows his commitment. “At least he cares,” one fan posted. “We’ve had too many players who don’t show emotion. He bleeds blue. He just let the frustration boil over.”
Rangers officials have yet to issue a formal statement, but internal sources suggest the club will avoid escalating the situation publicly. Celtic, meanwhile, appear content to let Tavernier’s words serve as further motivation ahead of the final.
As the dust settles on another painful defeat, one truth remains: James Tavernier’s six-word accusation “They are too toxic to play against” has added a new layer of tension to the fiercest rivalry in football.
