Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday admits he finds it hard to understand supporters' criticism of James Tavernier - insisting the captain has been their best player for years.

Tavernier has been subjected to abuse over recent campaigns for his defensive frailties. But Halliday pointed to his ex-teammate's attacking statistics and goals-to-games ratio for a defender. And he bemoaned fans' complaints, backing the Englishman, admitting he can't believe the stick Tavernier gets regularly.

"I personally think the criticism Tav gets from Rangers fans is ridiculous," he told Si Ferry on Open Goal’s Keeping the Ball on the Ground. "I don’t understand it. It’s bizarre to me – he’s probably been Rangers’ best player over the last five years since he’s been at the football club. He leads by example in his performances and day-to-day.

“The returns he’s got? Everyone says ‘he’s not as good a defender’, but who is? What full-back is better defensively than they are going forward these days?"

Tavernier has scored 46 goals in 248 appearances for the Light Blues in all competitions since joining under Mark Warburton in 2015.