JAMES TAVERNIER has called for clubs to crack down on fan misbehaviour after he was attacked during Rangers’ draw with Hibernian on Friday night.

The Light Blues captain was confronted by a fan that emerged from the home section of Easter Road and kicked the ball before pushing Tavernier on the touchline.

The shocking incident occurred in the same area of the ground where Scott Sinclair was targeted the previous week as a bottle was thrown at the Celtic forward.

Hibernian chief executive Leeann Dempster personally apologised to Tavernier after the Premiership encounter and condemned the actions of the supporter that will now be banned from Easter Road for life.

The disturbing scenes have become increasingly prevalent in Scottish football this season and Tavernier insists more should be done to safeguard players on the park.

He said: “It is stupid. It shouldn’t be allowed at football stadiums.

“Fans should be enjoying the game, they shouldn’t be able to jump on the pitch an interfere with any players.

“Leeann has apologised and it should be kicked out of football. We saw incidents a week ago and it shouldn’t be happening.

“It is one of those things where your instincts just kick in. Someone has come on, I didn’t know what he intended to do when he booted the ball and caught us.

“But it is one of those things where you need to keep a cool head and not react. The police came in and escorted him away.

“It shouldn’t happen, no player should be targeted by fans going on the pitch, coins. We had an incident a few years ago where they raided Hampden.

“These things shouldn’t happen. That is down to the clubs and the security to stop this, but fans shouldn’t be trying to intervene.”

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard expressed his concerns over the rise in incidents before the trip to Easter Road and warned that players could be put off playing in Scottish football over fears for their safety.

Alfredo Morelos, Neil Lennon and Kris Boyd have all been hit by coins in recent times as the actions of a handful of fans have tarnished the reputation of our game.

Hibernian have refused to rule out closing that section of the East Stand in an attempt to eradicate supporter misbehaviour after two worrying flashpoints in a week.

Tavernier was able to put the attack behind him and finish the game for Gerrard’s side but he revealed his wife Melissa was concerned for his wellbeing after seeing the shameful scenes live on television.

Tavernier said: “It can be [a concern]. Every time I have played here that is normally the rowdy bit where their fans are always saying stuff.

“First and foremost, no fans should be allowed on the pitch. That is down to the security. It shouldn’t happen.

“My wife was watching it and it was disgusting seeing that on TV. She said I handled it really well but you don’t want anyone back at home to see, you don’t want fans or anyone who is a neutral watching that game to see stuff like that. Hopefully we can kick it out.

“She was worried a little bit but it got dealt with pretty soon. We just move on from that.

“I obviously appreciate Leeann coming down to the dressing room and apologising. She said things like that shouldn’t happen and I really appreciate her coming down.”