CHRIS SUTTON believes a column he wrote branding Rangers captain James Tavernier a "serial loser" has resulted in him being knocked back from Ibrox on several occasions.

The Celtic hero has been refused entry on European nights when BT Sport are broadcasting from the stadium.

Although Sutton has never been officially 'banned', he reckons his refusal of entry stems from a column he wrote about Tavernier.

“I called him that when he hadn’t won anything at that particular time,” he revealed to BT Sports' Currie Club podcast. “I was factual at that time.

“I have got great admiration for James Tavernier and the way he has played for the last number of seasons and for the way he’s captained Rangers. They demolished Celtic by 25 points and last season he did brilliantly to take Rangers to a Europa League Final.

“I can’t call him a serial loser now. He’s answered in the best way.

“But are we really going to get offended by little snippets like that? I’ve not heard James Tavernier say anything about this.

“He’s done exactly as he should do and I have total admiration for him and the way he’s conducted himself and how he’s dragged the Rangers team up to a level where they are a real force back in Glasgow now.

“I don’t know which things I’ve said which Rangers don’t like. The easiest thing would be for someone to give me a call and say, ‘we don’t like that or you’ve said this or that’. It’s not for me to resolve.”