'It’s not good enough': Tavernier laments Rangers’ shock cup defeat

James Tavernier described Rangers’ humiliating Scottish Cup exit to Queen’s Park on Sunday as “unacceptable” as the Light Blues face a trophy-less domestic season.

The well-organised Spiders held the home side at bay with growing confidence at Ibrox before substitute Seb Drozd put the Championship outfit ahead after 69 minutes with a well-taken goal.

Philippe Clement’s side were handed a lifeline in added time when they were awarded a penalty but Queen’s Park keeper Calum Ferrie brilliantly saved Tavernier’s spot-kick and the hosts were booed by angry supporters after the fifth-round tie ended in embarrassment for the club and everyone associated with it.

Rangers have reached the last 16 of the Europa League but are highly unlikely to win a domestic trophy this term as they sit 13 points behind William Hill Premiership leaders Celtic, who won the Old Firm Premier Sports Cup final in December.

“It’s unacceptable, simple as that,” said Tavernier.

“We can’t be losing a game against a Championship team at home, can’t be shooting at goal 30-odd times and not being clinical enough, and can’t be just conceding maybe a couple of chances against us, then we concede, so it’s unacceptable.

“It’s rightly so, that the fans are aggrieved at us, and we’ve fully got to take it, be responsible for what happened.

“It’s not good enough. It’s another cup competition that now we’re out of, and it’s not acceptable that we can’t be going season after season and not picking up these trophies, so we have to reflect massively.

“Through the season it’s been inconsistent, where we have a run of good games, then we hit a speed bump.

“You can’t do that as a Rangers team and as Rangers players, you have to be consistent throughout the season if you want to compete for trophies.

“European football is obviously a different game, but you’ve got to keep that consistency throughout the season if you want to be challenging.

“We can’t be having a couple of chances and we concede off a second phase of a set-piece, and we can’t be wasteful in the final third, because there were too many shots and the keepers pulled off some good saves, but we should do more to put that ball in the back of the net with the quality that we have.

“It’s not good enough, it’s as simple as that. It’s not good enough, we’ve got to be competing for these trophies, and Sunday was shocking for all of us.

“I’ve got to take account of myself on the penalty, and take account of my performance, and everyone else who was asked to play has to do that. Everyone has to take accountability.

“You’ve got to win games, and that’s what the fans want us to do. They want us to win games and show performances that’s worthy of their backing.”