James Tavernier has defended his Rangers teammates from accusations they lack professionalism stemming from comments by new manager Philippe Clement.
The Belgian manager has won all of his domestic matches so far with 11 goals scored in three games while a 0-0 draw in Prague against Sparta was widely acknowledged as a creditable result.
Despite this success, he's not been slow to highlight issues with injury and fitness in his camp, talking up a new, individualised approach to ensure Rangers' talented squad is able to show its worth after 18 months blighted by key personnel suffering persistent injury.
The captain insists that his new boss is focusing on marginal gains and trying to get the wider squad fit rather than pinpointing issues with individuals.
He said: “I believe my team-mates are very professional already. It’s not like the lads are out on the weekend on the drink. We’re really professional and most of them have families.
“He’s touched on the recovery side. A lot more boys are using the cryo-chamber now. I think he’s touched on that a few times. It’s just small details. Any percentage that can make is better as a team, he’s really dialling in on. We’ll use everything we possible can.
"If you play on a Sunday, a Wednesday or a Thursday and then the next Sunday, there’s not much time on the training pitch. You play, recover, do a little bit of training.
“I think it’s more as a collective squad to be at the same levels. Getting everyone to the levels as the players who’re in week-in, week-out. So that when asked to play they can come in and perform 100 per cent.
“It’s maybe been unfair on some lads who have been out for a long time and then asked to come into a game and give it their all. They’re not really at that fitness level and start breaking down again. I think it’s about looking after the squad, where we need to be, how strong we need to be and we’ll all be effective together."
Clement is personable with the media but has a piercing stare and standing at over 6ft 3 carries the demeanour of a man not to be readily trifled with.
Asked if he's got another side to his personality, Tavernier said: “I probably haven’t seen that other side. Hopefully we don’t!
“Hopefully we can be on the right side but even half-time team talks where he felt we might have been dropping a little bit, he’s very encouraging, demanding and really tries to push the best out of us.
“The initial thought on the gaffer when he came in was that he’s a winner. He’s made that clear.
“The conversations we have, the team talks, the demands he puts on the team, he instils winning. His past history shows he wins trophies, he knows how to win and it’s great to have that pedigree behind you. We’re showing good signs of what we can do and he’s only just in the door.
"We are all excited as a group of players to continue working with the gaffer, really push and see what we can achieve."
