TAVERNIER TAKES DIG AT GASSAMA AFTER WHAT HE SAID TO THE MANAGER IN THE PITCH WHEN ASKED TO SUBBED OFF,IT’S ABSOLUTELY DISGRACEFUL

In a night that was supposed to be a statement of intent for Rangers in the Europa League, everything instead spiraled into noise, chaos, internal tension, and outright disbelief. Their 2-1 loss to Ferencváros was damaging enough on the pitch, but what erupted off it—and even on the touchline—has become the biggest talking point in Europe tonight.

And at the center of the storm?

A confrontation involving Gassama, Rangers manager Danny Rõhl, and a frustrated squad captain James Tavernier, who did not mince his words after the match. What should have been a routine substitution turned into a moment now being replayed, dissected, and debated by fans and pundits across social media. Tavernier’s post-match comments have only turned the temperature even higher.

The Rangers dressing room is shaken. Supporters are furious. Analysts are stunned.

And the fallout from this episode is far from over.

A NIGHT THAT BEGAN WITH HOPE… AND ENDED IN DRAMA

Rangers walked onto the pitch in Budapest with high expectations. The club had spoken boldly all week about asserting their authority in Group F, and Danny Rõhl had assured supporters that the team was poised for a strong European run.

But from the opening whistle, tensions simmered.

Ferencváros pressed aggressively, refusing Rangers the space to build out from the back. Rangers struggled to maintain rhythm, and the frustration was evident long before the halftime whistle. Even then, no one could have predicted how the second half would devolve into the dramatic scenes that stunned viewers worldwide.

Rangers’ late push for an equaliser in the closing minutes intensified the emotional temperature, but it was one moment—one heated exchange—that has overshadowed the entire match.

THE MOMENT THAT STARTED IT ALL: GASSAMA’S REACTION TO BEING SUBBED

According to multiple witnesses at pitchside, Danny Rõhl called Gassama over in the 72nd minute. The forward had been visibly tiring after a physically demanding spell of play, and Rõhl intended to bring on fresher legs to chase the game.

What should have been a routine coaching call turned into a shock scene.

When Rõhl informed him he was being subbed off, Gassama reportedly responded with a remark that left the manager—and several nearby players—absolutely stunned. While the exact words have not been officially released, insiders revealed that the comment was disrespectful, dismissive, and “something no player should ever say to a manager on a European night.”

One staff member described it as:

“Completely unacceptable. You don’t speak to your coach like that. Not here. Not ever.”

The cameras caught only fragments—Gassama gesturing, Rõhl visibly irritated, the fourth official looking uncomfortable—but fans watching live instantly sensed something had gone wrong.

And things only escalated from there.

TAVERNIER’S FIERY DIG: ‘IT’S DISGRACEFUL’

After the final whistle, as Rangers walked off the pitch defeated and heavy-hearted, reporters quickly pulled James Tavernier aside for reaction. The Rangers captain, usually composed and cautious with his words, did not hold back.

In a moment that has since gone viral, Tavernier called out Gassama’s behavior directly, branding the remark to the manager as:

“Absolutely disgraceful. No player should say that to the gaffer—ever.”

This was not subtle.

This was not diplomatic.

This was a captain making his stance unambiguously clear.

Tavernier went on:

“When you pull on this badge, you respect the manager, the staff, and your teammates. If someone can’t do that, we’ve got a problem.”

The statement sent shockwaves through the football world. Captains rarely address internal conflicts so directly in public, especially immediately after a high-profile European defeat. But the Rangers skipper had clearly reached a breaking point.

DANNY RÕHL’S REACTION: A MANAGING CRISIS

While Tavernier spoke with fire, Danny Rõhl took a more controlled tone in the press conference—but even he couldn’t hide his disappointment.

“I expect professionalism,” Rõhl said flatly.

“I expect discipline. What happened was not the standard of this club.”

He kept the details minimal—likely to prevent the situation from spiraling further—but the message was unmistakable: this was unacceptable behaviour, and it would be dealt with internally.

Insiders claim Rõhl was furious in the dressing room after the match. The normally calm and analytical manager reportedly addressed the entire squad with firmness, reminding them that individual ego cannot override team unity—especially on European nights.

THE LOCKER ROOM ATMOSPHERE: ‘TENSE, QUIET, SHOCKED’

Players who spoke privately described the post-match environment as the tensest of the season.

Some teammates were stunned by Gassama’s outburst. Others were shocked Tavernier chose to address it publicly. A few were simply drained from the emotional rollercoaster of the match and the unexpected internal conflict.

One squad member anonymously commented:

“We were all shocked. Nobody saw that coming. And Tav… he wasn’t having it.”

There is now a clear divide:

• Those who feel Gassama crossed a line
• Those who believe tensions were high and emotions got the better of him
• And those who think the issue will only escalate if not handled decisively

Regardless of perspective, everyone agrees: the situation cannot be ignored.

SOCIAL MEDIA EXPLODES

Within minutes of Tavernier’s interview, Twitter/X, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook erupted with reactions from supporters.

Some fans defended Tavernier:

• “He’s the captain. He had to say it.”
• “Nobody disrespects our manager.”

Others expressed frustration with the overall team performance:

• “Why are we fighting each other when we should be fighting for points?”
• “The lack of unity is killing us.”

And, naturally, rival supporters wasted no time stirring the pot with memes, jokes, and taunts.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The club is expected to address the incident internally before their next match. Possible outcomes include:

• A disciplinary meeting for Gassama
• A temporary benching
• A public apology
• Leadership group intervention
• Full squad meeting on communication and conduct

None of this is confirmed, but the speculation grows with every hour.

Rangers, already under pressure due to inconsistent form, now face a different kind of challenge—one that tests leadership, unity, and professionalism.

A LOSS THAT MEANS MORE THAN THREE POINTS

The 2-1 defeat to Ferencváros hurt their Europa League standing. But what truly stings is the fracture exposed within the team—a clash of ego, emotion, and expectation that could derail their momentum if not resolved swiftly and decisively.

Tavernier’s comments show a captain trying to protect the standards of the club.

Rõhl’s reaction shows a manager unwilling to tolerate disrespect.

And the spotlight now sits squarely on Gassama, whose next move will determine whether this moment becomes a footnote or a defining controversy.

One thing is certain:

Rangers’ Europa League night will be remembered not for the scoreline, but for the eruption that followed it.