New James Tavernier contract ‘huge boost’ for Rangers – Barry Ferguson
Rangers captain James Tavernier penned a new deal at Ibrox this week and Barry Ferguson is delighted to see him commit to the club.
The 30-year-old will go beyond 10 seasons at the club if he stays the duration of his new deal to take him into testimonial territory which is something few players have managed in recent years.
Ferguson also sees this news as the injection of positivity needed ahead of a big week for the club with crucial games against Hibernian and PSV Eindhoven on the horizon.
“It’s a huge boost for the whole club ahead of two huge games coming up against Hibs this weekend and PSV next week that Tav has penned a new contract,” Ferguson said in his Daily Record column.
“Just look at his numbers, 351 games over eight years, 85 goals. Those are freak stats for a full-back but his appearance count is also incredible.
“He barely misses a game and usually turns it on for the big occasion. I’ve seen some talk about whether he’s now into club legend category but for me, there’s no doubt he’s already a member of that club.”
Statue worthy
Perhaps it is still too soon to suggest that he should get a statue at Ibrox but if he keeps performing like this for Rangers over the next few years then he will certainly be close.
The only thing maybe holding him back right now is that he has only lifted two pieces of silverware so far as captain and that doesn’t quite cut the mustard with some of the other club legends.
But Tavernier still has time and if he can lead the club to becoming a dominant force in Scottish football over the next two seasons, then who knows how the club might honour him.
One thing that is absolutely certain is that he can’t leave Rangers without some kind of special recognition after everything he has done so far.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst may be lost without him and with the Dutchman finding his feet back at Ibrox again, he needs his skipper more than ever to keep his levels as high as possible for the rest of the squad to aspire to.
In other Rangers news, talkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara has made a remarkable claim about Ryan Kent that will leave Gers fans gobsmacked.