Mark Warburton has responded to James Tavernier critics who claimed he should not have been inducted into the club's Hall of Fame.

The current Ibrox captain was enlisted alongside Allan McGregor and Steven Davis this week ahead of the League Cup final this weekend.

Some supporters argued that Tavernier's acclaim was not justified, with just two trophies landed during his eight-year spell at the club.

For Warburton though, who brought the full-back to the club alongside Martin Waghorn in a two-for-one £200,000 deal, he cannot understand the doubters.

He told the Daily Record: “Fans are entitled to their opinion but the fact is that Tav’s come through promotion from the Championship, a cup final loss in 2016, dealt with changes of managers, good times, bad times, a title win, a European adventure and been solid throughout.

“So for me, he’s absolutely earned his right to be up on that board in the Marble Staircase. How do you judge whether a player’s earned the right to be on that board? Well I think Tav has shown his commitment, his pride in playing for and captaining the club and his relevance to a variety of managers so I think that fully justifies his inclusion.

“Waggy scored 28 goals that season and Tav has gone on to do what he’s done for the club. It was good business! Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a tremendous achievement."

Warburton continued: “When Tav came in, he was always low-maintenance, hardly ever missed a match or training session. Just a manager’s dream. What’s impressed me most is the way he’s raised his levels as the games have got bigger for Rangers in Europe and back in the top flight.

“We always knew he was an outstanding crosser but he’s continued to show that quality down the years no matter the level. Rangers have been through a lot of managers since Davie Weir and I first joined the club and the fact is Tav’s still there, still one of the first names on the team sheet, tells you a lot.

“There’s been times when he’s had a struggle. It wasn’t that long ago I was getting calls from folk saying he’s having a massive dip in form, is this the beginning of the end for his Rangers career?

“But he just continues to play his way through it and comes out the other side all the stronger for it. For me, he deserves enormous credit for his strength of character.”