‘Tav can take the flak’

STEVEN GERRARD has backed Rangers skipper James Tavernier to bounce back from his Swiss nightmare.

The defender endured a torrid night as Rangers let slip a half-time lead to go down 2-1 against Young Boys in the Europa League on Thursday.

Tavernier lost possession deep in his own half before Young Boys levelled and then made a misjudged attempt to cut out a ball forward before the home team hit a stoppage-time winner.

But Gerrard believes Tavernier will show his true colours – starting against Hamilton at Ibrox today.

“James is the captain of this team for a reason,” the Gers boss said. “He is maturing, he is big enough to handle the criticism that comes his way.

“Football is not just about highs and praise and everyone telling you how great you are. It’s about recovering from setbacks, being able to handle the tough times as well as the good times.”

Leaders Celtic face Livingston and boss Neil Lennon is backing winger James Forrest to continue his red-hot form.

Lennon said: “He’s a big-game player and over a long, long period of time at a big club where the expectation levels and the pressure are huge, he just seems to take it all in his stride and get better.

“We feel he’s in his peak years.”