Röhl defends denying Tavernier Ibrox on-pitch farewell

"I think I was from the first part very clear and open with him, and I think that was the reason why it was also my wish and suggestion that he gets a proper goodbye on Wednesday," said Röhl.

Image: James Tavernier appears to have played his final game for Rangers

"But also at this time I always said to him, 'it could be you start, it could be you come from the bench'.

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"This is not the point. If you ask me what was in my head for this day, it was first to take three points, win a game, see Tav with his family walking in, take the plaque which he deserved, make a walk around the stadium and then finally get some minutes on the pitch.

"If it's a starter or sub, this was for me. In the case of how I spoke with him, clearly, I gave him a suggestion.

"He asked me if I'm a starter and I said, 'if nothing changes overnight, you will not start, but you will get your minutes on the pitch'.

Image: Tavernier won the Scottish Premiership under Steven Gerrard

"I think my team knows it. My final decision, and this is the reason why I said 'if', it's always on match day I decide my team, three hours before the game, never overnight. As a manager, you make decisions with emotions and sometimes you have to sleep over your decisions to make final decisions. It was the normal process."

Asked why he thought Tavernier should have started on the bench, Röhl said: "Again, I took the picture, I collected information and this is also a part, we are still a club to play for results and for wins, and I made the decision, what is best for the team in this moment.

"And it was my final decision for him at that moment. But it was always in my mind to give him this goodbye and I was honest to him."

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