Pundit wowed by ‘continually loyal’ James Tavernier who could have left Rangers for Premier League
Rangers captain James Tavernier has stayed “continually loyal” to the club amid opportunities to play in the Premier League, according to pundit Dave MacKinnon.
Tavernier joined the Gers from Wigan Athletic in 2015, and has gone on to make 402 appearances for the Scottish club.
And former Rangers defender MacKinnon believes the captain deserves huge credit for remaining loyal to his team over all these years.
“I think he’s a great captain and players within Rangers look up to him,” said MacKinnon, as quoted by the Daily Record. “One of the things that you always look for or say about a captain is: What does he contribute to the team?
“Well I don’t think anyone could be negative about what he contributes. What I also feel is impressive is that, while others during his time have taken an opportunity to exit the club at various times, he has been continually loyal to Rangers.
“I think fans appreciate that because there is no doubt he could have gone and played in the English Premier League. He enjoys football, he always has a smile on his face and that’s great because it is a short career.”
Superb servant
Rangers lost many long-standing servants at the end of the last campaign, with club legend Allan McGregor leading the Ibrox exits upon the expiry of his contract.
Fan favourites and long-serving players Scott Arfield, Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent also left Ibrox in search of new challenges.
Club captain Tavernier has, however, remained loyal season after season, with the defender now boasting an immense 402 caps for the Ibrox outfit.
There were definitely times when he could have left Scotland and forgotten all about Rangers, particularly when the going got tough in Glasgow.
But he quite simply hasn’t looked back since arriving at the club, and neither have Rangers, who have got one of their best-ever right-backs now leading the way under Michael Beale.
The captain’s experience will be key on the pitch and in the dressing room next season as the Gers aim to challenge fierce rivals Celtic all the way in all of the domestic competitions.
In other Rangers news, one Gers ace has sent a four-word message to an outgoing Everton player after his contract snub.