Rangers captain James Tavernier has refused to rise to comments made by Chris Sutton about the right-back’s failure to win any major silverware during his four years at Ibrox.

The TV pundit branded the Gers defender a “serial loser” but when asked about the remarks during a press conference ahead of Sunday’s League Cup final against Celtic, Tavernier was measured in his response:

“Comments from pundits are irrelevant. I am here to do a job, I’m here to win trophies. Previously we’ve not done that but I fully believe in this squad and what we’re capable of doing.”

“We have to win games, we have to win trophies. All the boys who have signed here have come to win trophies. We’re not here to be second best. It’s a great occasion for the fans, we want to win silverware for the fans.”

Tavernier may have been tempted to ignite a war of words with Sutton but he has wisely kept his focus purely on winning the final this weekend.

Sutton’s comments will, though, certainly help to motivate the Rangers squad ahead of the clash against their Old Firm rivals.  The outspoken former Celtic forward has also said that the Light Blues are in danger of becoming a “nearly team” under manager Steven Gerrard, which will almost certainly be used as ammunition in the pre-match team talk at Hampden Park.