'Irrelevant' - Rangers captain James Tavernier hits back at pundit and former Celtic striker Chris Sutton over 'serial loser' claim

James Tavernier has dismissed Chris Sutton's remarks

TV pundit Sutton has taken aim at the Ibrox skipper and his failure to win any major trophy with the Light Blues since making his move to Glasgow in 2015.

But Tavernier has now responded ahead of Sunday's Betfred Cup final clash with the Hoops, saying: "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.

Sutton branded Tavernier a 'serial loser'

"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.

"We have to do everything in our hands and go out there on Sunday looking to bring back some silverware."

Skipper backs team-mates to rediscover best form

While Tavernier has bounced back from a slump in form this season, the rest of the Gers defence has seen their levels drop in recent weeks having shipped five goals in their last four games.

That crisis of confidence contributed to Steven Gerrard's team throwing away two points on Wednesday night as Aberdeen were allowed to fight back to snatch a 2-2 draw.

Tavernier know his side cannot afford to make a repeat of those mistakes against the Treble Treble winners but the defender has backed his team-mates to follow his lead and rediscover their best displays.

"Sometimes it's come down to mistakes, simple things," he said. "If you can cut those out, show a bit more concentration - and I include myself after the weeks I was getting criticised - you can bounce straight back and be really solid again.

Sunday 'like a European game'

"I've got full confidence in our back four and as a team that we can easily rectify those mistakes and get back to clean sheets.

"Sunday will be like when you play European games. The higher level you go up then the more you'll be punished for mistakes.

"We know that we cant afford to give up any mistakes. We know Celtic are going to have some chances so we have to defend really well on the day."