RANGERS captain James Tavernier has downplayed Connor Goldson's controversial comments after the loss to Hibs last weekend.

The full-back revealed the "frustration" after the match as he suggested Goldson's comments on the "hunger" of the squad could be "heat of the moment".

Goldson had come under fire for his damning comments after the Premier Sports Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Hibs.

He had said: "We can be inside at half-time and say 'believe in ourselves, blah, blah, blah but the game's over as we are three goals down and three-one down at half-time. It's nowhere near good enough and nothing to do with them (the coaches).

"We know that the new manager was here today and you would hope that players would want to impress but after that performance we need a change. We need a spark as I don't want to say this but I feel that we have lost a bit of hunger.

"All of a sudden we are champions and we don't need to work as hard which is wrong.

"I feel that it's crept in all season, we haven't been good enough the whole of the season so far. Hopefully the new manager can come in. and give us a spark."

And despite criticism of Goldson's comments in the aftermath, Tavernier defended his team-mate as he insisted all players at the club are desperate for success.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Tavernier said: "After the game there is obviously a lot of frustration and it can be heat of the moment. 

"We all wanted to be better in domestic cups and the manner of how we lost I know everyone is disappointed and frustrated in how we carried that game out.

"We all know that we are hungry. Anyone who signs for Rangers, you have to be hungry because this club is known for its success with trophies so that should never be looked upon between the players.

"I think going forward we are obviously going to help each other."