Tav interview snub angers Gough

RICHARD GOUGH has slammed James Tavernier for leaving Connor Goldson to conduct the post-match interview that has seen him face an angry backlash from fans.

Goldson has been criticised for claiming the Rangers squad have lost their hunger after a League Cup defeat to Hibs. He also said the semifinal was effectively over as they trailed 3-1 at half-time at Hampden.

Gough, who skippered the club during one of its most successful eras, told the BBC: “Sometimes the truth has to be told and I’ve seen the interview from Connor Goldson. But before I talk about that interview, I would want to know why James Tavernier wasn’t out as club captain.

“I can remember being wheeled out most of the time when we lost a game. Walter would say, ‘Can you do the Press Goughie?’. I was never wheeled out once when we won games, only when we lost! That was my first thinking, that the captain normally comes out and faces the Press when you’re under the cosh.

“As a Rangers fan I’d be very disappointed in hearing him say they’ve lost their hunger. Most of the players have won one trophy out of nine, so how can they lose their hunger? That for me is a big one.

“When a Rangers player says the game’s done at half-time when you’re 3-1 down, it’s not right.”

And Gough reckons the older heads should be speaking up.

He added: “We’re not going to surrender games at half-time when 3-1 down. If I was an experienced player in that dressing room like Allan McGregor or Steven Davis, I’d be having a word with that young man who has maybe played at Shrewsbury and Brighton and saying, ’The game is never over’.”