It was not the farewell that James Tavernier wanted or deserved. It was emotional and it was unedifying as the captain said goodbye at Ibrox without kicking a ball.
The episode overshadowed the evening. In terms of the action, Danny Rohl's side had to came from behind as Thelo Aasgaard cancelled out a Martin Boyle strike.
In the last minute, Dane Scarlett snatched all three points for David Gray. It was the final blow for this Ibrox crowd this term. The end of the season cannot come soon enough.
Read more:
- The reason James Tavernier isn't involved in Rangers squad to face Hibs
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Tavernier says goodbye – but with a twist
The match programme had a wraparound cover with an image of Tavernier on the front and the message of ‘Thank You Captain’ on the back. Tavernier was quoted for the first time since the Instagram post that confirmed his departure from Ibrox. In that interview, he spoke about his greatest pride being that he had ‘always been available to play for the team’.
“I've made a lot of appearances for the club and I’m proud to have been inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Tavernier continued. “Winning the club's 55th league title and then getting to the Europa League final as well is something I'll never forget because of the magnitude of that and the teams we had to beat."
His farewell turned into a farce. Whatever the rights or wrongs, whatever camp you are in, it was sad for it to end in such a manner.
🎥 A final Ibrox farewell for an emotional James Tavernier.
Not in the matchday squad, the club captain received a plaque pre-match from John Greig. pic.twitter.com/ARvC4GvQOu— The Rangers Review (@RangersReview55) May 13, 2026
Tavernier was informed that he would be starting on the bench as Rohl picked Dujon Sterling at right-back. It is believed that Tavernier was told he would play some part in the penultimate league fixture of the campaign and be given a chance to say thank you to the Ibrox crowd but the 34-year-old chose to pull out of the squad rather than take his place on the bench.
A planned presentation with John Greig still took place. Ten minutes before kick-off, a clearly emotional Tavernier walked down the tunnel for the last time. He took the acclaim of the crowd and embraced The Greatest Ever Ranger before departing with his name being sung. He left Ibrox early and under a cloud.
Result means nothing
It was perhaps fitting that Rangers should say their own cheerio to Ibrox this term in a whirlwind of comment and controversy. This has been a season like no other in the blue half of Glasgow, and that is saying something for a support that have seen it all over the years.
A couple of weeks ago, the overly optimistic sections of the fanbase had this match circled as a potential crowning moment for Rohl’s side. Others believed the German and assumed the title race would go down to the final 90 minutes of the campaign.
Few would have foreseen the collapse that resulted in the penultimate outing being a dead rubber. It was still a headline-grabbing one as the Tavernier situation dominated the agenda.
Ultimately, the action and the outcome mattered little to Rangers after their third-place finish was confirmed with the defeat at Parkhead. A trip to Falkirk carries even less intrigue and it is the Scottish Cup final that is now defining as Rohl waits to discover what European competition he will be leading Rangers in next term.
On the railings outside Ibrox, banners against the German were unfurled while the game was still being played. The backing from Andrew Cavenagh and the hierarchy is going to be tested over the coming days and weeks.
Rangers fail to take chances
The first quarter of an hour elapsed with Hibernian ahead. Rohl’s side could, though, have had their noses in front and then come from behind to lead. Raphael Sallinger made a smart stop to block a Manny Fernandez header inside three minutes. After Boyle gave the visitors the lead, Mikey Moore’s attempt was thwarted at source before Sallinger saved from Aasgaard. The keeper denied Youssef Chermiti a couple of minutes later.
The chances continued to come for Rohl’s side. Aasgaard couldn’t convert from six yards and Sallinger made an excellent stop to deny Connor Barron. He also got down to a near post effort from Moore.
When the keeper was beaten, it was a moment of quality. Ironically, Aasgaard would probably not have taken the free-kick from 20 yards had Tavernier been on the park. He made the most of this opportunity, though, with a wonderful strike into the top corner.
Rangers were not great, but they were better than Hibs. Bojan Miovski should have scored minutes after coming off the bench but he fired over from inside the area.
Hibs win it late on
The deadlock was broken inside five minutes. Jordan Obita worked his way into a crossing position on the left and picked out Boyle. Leaving the striker with time and space ten years from goal is never a good idea. Unsurprisingly, Rangers were punished and were 1-0 down.
It was as good as it got for the visitors in the first half. A couple of forays forward offered hope that they could add to their tally but the second goal didn’t materialise. In truth, Gray’s side could have no complaints about being level at the interval, with a Daniel Barlaser free-kick as close as they came.
This was written off as a meaningless match but it still had some consequence for Hibs. A fourth-place finish was still in their mind as they made the trip along the M8.
Substitute Ante Suto fired into the side netting with ten minutes remaining. It was one of their few attacks in the second period. Their next saw Scarlett advance down the left and Butland save before the keeper got a hand to the follow-up from Felix Passlack. Butland couldn't keep Scarlett's next effort out as Hibs won it with just seconds to spare.
Tav is not the only farewell
To say that Ibrox was subdued was an understatement. It was hard to know what to expect in terms of the attendance or the atmosphere. A crowd of 50,663 was confirmed as Rangers bowed out at home this term. That was the number given, at least.
There was emotion before a ball was kicked as Tavernier took the acclaim from the stands for the final time. When the teams were announced, it was Moore who got the loudest cheer from the stands. Some of the names did not even receive a ripple of applause from a truly scunnered support.
The goals from Fir Park and Tynecastle interrupted the periods of silence as fans kept each other updated on the latest twists and turns in the title race. Ten minutes into the second half, it was the corner of those in green and white that were celebrating as news came that Celtic had taken the lead over Motherwell.
Those that stayed to the end marked the efforts of Rohl and his players. This will be the last time that many are seen. Regardless of who stays and who goes, it is obvious that next term must be much, much better.
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