"Traitor": The Scots go wild over Tavernier's comments about Israel

James Tavernier, former Rangers captain who signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv two weeks ago, sparked a storm in Scotland after praising Israel in an interview following the Tel Aviv derby. Tavernier described Israel as a "beautiful place" and said the media does not do justice to the country. His comments reached Scotland, where social media users attacked him fiercely, calling him a "traitor" and an "idiot" for moving to Israel. Scottish media also criticized the yellow fans' gestures against Celtic.

James Tavernier, the former Rangers captain who signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv two weeks ago, sparked a storm in Scotland after praising Israel in an interview following the Tel Aviv derby. Tavernier described Israel as a "beautiful place" and said the media does not do justice to the country. His comments reached Scotland, where social media users attacked him fiercely. One user wrote: "I wished him all the best until he decided to play for a club that is complicit in crimes against the people of Gaza." Another added: "Everything he did for us now seems a bit tainted after his decision to move. What an idiot." Meanwhile, Maccabi Tel Aviv fans honored Tavernier with a gesture before kickoff in the derby, chanting his name and then singing against Celtic. The chants reached the Scottish media, which criticized the yellow fans. Tavernier played 11 seasons at Rangers, wore the captain's armband, and this is his first time playing outside the UK.