Joe Ellis

Wed 12 October 2022 10:10, UK

Rangers are set to have a month-long break when the World Cup begins in November but one of their players might be in Qatar.

James Tavernier has been unfortunate not to earn himself an England cap yet after years of top performances at Ibrox with the wealth of talent in his position causing an immovable roadblock.

But it may have finally been moved now with Gareth Southgate now having three of his right-back choices out injured after Reece James hobbled off for Chelsea away at AC Milan on Tuesday evening (11 October).

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been ruled out for a few weeks, which will help Rangers in the Champions League on Wednesday (12 October), and Kyle Walker has just undergone surgery on his groin and is a doubt for Qatar.

Of the usual suspects Southgate calls upon for England, only Kieran Trippier remains fully fit and ready to go which could leave him searching for a new right-back to bolster his squad.

There will be options in the Premier League that are more obviously in his eye line but Tavernier has to be on his radar for a seat on the plane if there is any justice in the world.

There is the possibility that James, Alexander-Arnold and Walker all recover in time to get on the plane which would see Tavernier stay in Glasgow and get a month off which Giovanni van Bronckhorst would love to happen.

The Englishman is one of the Light Blues’ most crucial players and the last thing van Bronckhorst would (selfishly) want is for him to risk injury and tiredness by playing in the winter World Cup.

It would be a long-overdue first cap if he does get the call-up and then play for the Three Lions but for Rangers’ best interests, a long rest mid-season would be fantastic.

In other Rangers news, there could be some “really good proposals” on the way for this Ibrox ace with his future at the club in doubt.