There are Many Problems at Rangers, But James Tavernier Isn’t One of Them
Over the summer, there has been much speculation regarding the future of Rangers captain James Tavernier and if he would leave the club and bring an end to his nine years at Ibrox. Turkish side Trabzonspor were interested in the right-back, and even put a bid in but it was rejected.
Before the start of the season, Tavernier broke his silence on the rumours linking him with a move away from Ibrox, he told Rangers TV: “I just don’t take any notice, basically. There has been speculation for a long time now if it’s a year and a half. I addressed it towards the end of last season, I am fully committed to the job in hand.”
“That’s where my mindset will always be, fully committed, coming day by day and trying my extreme hardest to push myself and the team on. To do what I do every single day is to be a professional footballer, it’s like I’m 18 again. Every single day there is joy for me to come in to train, I am living the dream.”
It looks likely that Tavernier will be staying at Ibrox for the foreseeable future, and I think that is brilliant news for the Light Blues. There’s one thing I don’t understand is why some of the Rangers faithful want Tavernier to leave the club. I find it baffling as he’s arguably been Rangers’ most important player throughout the years. They don’t realise how difficult it would be to replace a player of his quality and class.
Last season the 32-year-old bagged himself 24 goals with 12 assists, and scored the winner in the League Cup Final against Aberdeen. It was a tight affair between the two teams until Tavernier took matters into his own hands and won Rangers a trophy that they hadn’t won since 2011 – all thanks to their captain stepping up.
In the last four seasons, he’s scored 79 goals, with 60 assists, and finished top goal scorer in the Europa League in 2022 with seven goals. Tavernier was instrumental in that iconic run to the final and if it wasn’t for him – Rangers would not have made their first European final in 14 years.
The fans who criticise the Englishman always seem to point to his lack of trophies but seem to forget the poor teams he’s had to play in. Tavernier does not sign the players, appoint the managers or pick the team, yet he always seems to get the blame for Rangers’ shortcomings, even though he’s bailed the club out countless times.
Another criticism that gets thrown at him is that he’s not ‘captain material’, which is just nonsense. Tavernier is a captain who leads by example and is the ultimate professional on the pitch and in the training ground – former Rangers boss Mark Warburton – who signed Tavernier back in 2015 said that about him on the ScotScore Podcast.
Steven Gerrard, who is one of the greatest captains of all time appointed Tavernier as Rangers captain when he took charge as manager in 2018 and if there is anyone that can spot a leader – it’s definitely Gerrard. The Rangers Hall of Famer is currently Britain’s highest scoring defender scoring a staggering 134 goals and for a right-back to get that number of goals, is nothing short of incredible.
Rangers have a lot of issues at the moment. The club can’t play at Ibrox and aren’t sure when they will be back there, poor decision-making on and off the field, and a lack of investment in the squad – the atmosphere around the club is not good. One thing that is most certainly not an issue and that’s James Tavernier. Someone who has captained Rangers to their 55th title and to a Europa League Final – they are very lucky to have him.
By: Scott Bradley / @ScottBradleyX
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Ian MacNicol / Getty Images