Danny Röhl stands by his controversial decision to leave outgoing captain James Tavernier out of Rangers' 2-1 defeat against Hibernian.
The 34-year-old right-back refused to sit on the bench after being told he would not start in what was to be his farewell game at Ibrox after 11 years in Govan, despite bringing forward a planned injection on an ankle knock to allow himself one final game.
Tavernier appeared on the pitch before the game to receive a commemorative shield from former Rangers skipper and manager John Greig, but in a statement on social media said he felt "deeply hurt and let down" by the German coach's decision, with the X post liked by former and present players.
Röhl said after the fourth consecutive post-split defeat: "My job is to make decisions, who starts. I made my decision, I was very transparent with him.
And ahead of the final game of the season at Falkirk on Saturday - where Tavernier will be absent after taking the delayed injection - the former Sheffield Wednesday coach revisited an issue which has split the Rangers supporters.
"I think I was from the first part very clear and open with him, and I think that was the reason why it was also my wish and suggestion that he gets a proper goodbye on Wednesday," said Röhl.
"But also at this time I always said to him, 'it could be you start, it could be you come from the bench'.
"This is not the point. If you ask me what was in my head for this day, it was first to take three points, win a game, see Tav with his family walking in, take the plaque which he deserved, make a walk around the stadium and then finally get some minutes on the pitch.
"If it's a starter or sub, this was for me. In the case of how I spoke with him, clearly, I gave him a suggestion.
"He asked me if I'm a starter and I said, 'if nothing changes overnight, you will not start, but you will get your minutes on the pitch'.
"I think my team knows it. My final decision, and this is the reason why I said 'if', it's always on match day I decide my team, three hours before the game, never overnight. As a manager, you make decisions with emotions and sometimes you have to sleep over your decisions to make final decisions. It was the normal process."
Asked why he thought Tavernier should have started on the bench, Röhl said: "Again, I took the picture, I collected information and this is also a part, we are still a club to play for results and for wins, and I made the decision, what is best for the team in this moment.
"And it was my final decision for him at that moment. But it was always in my mind to give him this goodbye and I was honest to him."
