James Tavernier last night insisted Rangers ’ stars are firmly behind boss Steven Gerrard and want him to stay.
The Ibrox captain spoke out after the torturous Tynecastle torment which led to his manager emotionally admitting he needs to do “some serious thinking” about where he is at with the club.
Gerrard was left devastated and plunged into a period of self-analysis after the William Hill Scottish Cup loss to Hearts .
Having binned ill-disciplined Alfredo Morelos for the last-eight tie, the Rangers boss then had to come to terms with the damaging defeat and near-certain prospect of two trophyless seasons in charge.
Gerrard claimed it was his lowest moment in charge and said: “That’s where it comes down on my shoulders. Two seasons without a trophy isn’t good enough. It’s not what I’m about. I need to analyse myself, for sure. I need to think hard about where we are.”
When asked if that included his own future at Rangers, Gerrard said: “I just need to think.”
Tavernier admitted that the players had let their manager and club down badly with the latest domestic disaster.
The skipper confessed the boss had “given everything” to the squad and they had failed to deliver.
Tavernier was unequivocal in his backing of Gerrard as he insisted it is the players who must shoulder the responsibility.
He said: “We want him [Gerrard] to be here, definitely.
"He has driven the standards right up and we have to deliver.
“And we need to show the gaffer and the fans how much it means.
“He [Gerrard] has given everything to the boys and we have not delivered two seasons in a row.
“We were unlucky in the League Cup final against Celtic , but we have now been knocked out in this competition in the quarter final for a second season.
“The league was in our hands, but we have now given ourselves a mountain to climb.
“We have lost it again, so we are going to look at ourselves as the gaffer has given us everything.”
