James Tavernier starting spot secure, Michael Beale can look elsewhere to accommodate new Rangers arrival
Rangers are in for a major shake-up this summer, with Michael Beale already getting the ball rolling with a handful of exciting signatures.
In the other direction, Alfredo Morelos, Scott Arfield, Allan McGregor, Ryan Kent and Filip Helander will all exit upon the expiry of their contracts this summer.
But fans will be more concerned about the incomings, which include midfielder Kieran Dowell and defender Dujon Sterling.
And it is the latter who is perhaps attracting more attention given the fact he has joined the Gers from Premier League giants Chelsea.
At just 23, he has definitely been brought in with the long-term future in mind, although it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Beale utilise Sterling in a way that keeps club captain James Tavernier on his toes.
It’s a situation that has already happened at the club, with youngster Nathan Patterson providing competition for places at right-back before his move to Everton.
But Tavernier has just enjoyed a hugely successful season at Ibrox, meaning his position shouldn’t be under any immediate threat, with the 31-year-old named in WhoScored’s Scottish Premiership Team of the Season.
“Once again, James Tavernier is the WhoScored.com Scottish Premiership Player of the Season having returned a rating of 7.64,” WhoScored’s Ben McAleer wrote for Sky Sports.
“The Rangers skipper made more key passes (107) than any other player in the league, and that resulted in an impressive nine assists, while a further 16 goals capped what was another excellent campaign for the right-back.”
Such stats really are impressive for any player, never mind a right-back, and they are reinforced by the fact he finished the season as the club’s top goal scorer with 17 goals, as per BBC Sport.
While he has had plenty of success from set-pieces, Tavernier has also thrived in open play, bombing forward and bringing his teammates into play with pinpoint crosses.
Beale would be foolish to ignore those figures, meaning Sterling could find himself instead operating at left-back, a role in which he found himself while on loan at Stoke City last season.
Sterling even played at both right and left midfield, with such versatility undoubtedly also among the reasons why he has been brought to Ibrox.
In other Rangers news, official partner Heart & Hand Podcast has sent a message to Sterling after his signature was confirmed.