James Tavernier insists he’s too busy trying to bring success to Rangers to allow the Ibrox boo-boys under his skin.
The Light Blues skipper compounded an error-strewn campaign with a penalty miss against Motherwell on Sunday - his third failure from five attempts.
It followed criticism for a dreadful defensive blunder which allowed Hearts to score in a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle the previous weekend and the blame which came his way for his part in two goals conceded in 2-1 Europa League defeat to Young Boys in Bern.
Once again Tavernier was the subject of discontent from supporters as they grabbed a late win over the Fir Park side and it prompted boss Steven Gerrard to make a plea to the crowd to get off his captain’s back.
Despite a string of errors and indifferent displays, the full-back is adamant he’s strong enough to cope with the flak and is determined to continue putting himself front and centre and silence his critics in the months ahead.
He said: “There is no time to feel down. I am captain of the club, the gaffer gave me that responsibility and I have got to lead by example. I can’t be leading by example if I am not showing up and not being strong and being positive with the boys.
"The gaffer and the staff have got belief in me and I have to repay them, the boys and obviously the fans.
"That is part of football and you are always going to get criticism. I am a big enough character to deal with it and I know how to deal with it. You are going to expect it when you make mistakes. I am human and I will learn from it and I will come back even stronger. It only thrives me on and makes me stronger and makes me better.
Rangers remain level on points with Celtic at the Premiership summit and Tavernier insists there’s no danger of outside forces shaking his side’s belief they can cope with everything which comes their way during this campaign.
He said: "We always believe we can go toe-to-toe with anyone and we have got quality in the changing room. We have got great belief in ourselves and it is down to ourselves to rise to the occasion.
"We have got to keep that mindset and that performance going forward.”
