James Tavernier and Connor Goldson to regret Rangers exit amid Saudi Arabia transfer news
Dan Bardell has suggested it would be a poor career choice for Rangers duo James Tavenier and Conor Goldson to depart Ibrox for Saudi Arabia.
The Daily Record first reported (24 April) that Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq are interested in a reunion with the pair at his new club.
Keith Jackson has said that the former Gers boss is set for a major rebuild of his side who are eighth in the Saudi Pro League.
Bardell believes that although a move to Saudi Arabia would be financially beneficial, it could harm Tavernier and Goldson’s careers.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, Bardell said: “It would be one for the players. If you go to Saudi Arabia you earn more than you would anywhere in the world. The money compared to the Scottish Premiership is completely different.
“I’m always disappointed when a player goes there. These two players in particular have been stalwarts for Rangers and have been part of a great European run.
“If you’re going to leave a massive club like Rangers, you want to test yourself in a different league like the Premier League or Germany maybe to try one of the big leagues.
“If you go to the Saudi league, yes you get the financial riches but they’ll look back at their career and think, ‘could I have tested myself at a different level?‘.
“We’ve seen different players go out there and it go a bit flat so I’d be a bit wary of it.”
Can Rangers let James Tavernier and Connor Goldson leave?
Tavernier, 32, will begin to slow up in the coming seasons but this doesn’t mean his impact is huge at Ibrox right now.
His form doesn’t look like faltering right now and with that being said he will be nearly impossible to replace.
He provides endless goals and assists regardless of the manager for the Light Blues and will be frustrated not to have had many league title wins.
On the flip side, Goldson may be much easier to replace. This has been proved in recent weeks given he has been benched for Leon Balogun.
After a move from Brighton, he has won a Scottish Cup and a Premiership title which may prove to be enough for him in terms of achievements.
At 31-years-old he may feel that a transfer to financially secure his future may be a way out of sitting on the bench for Rangers.
The move to Saudi Arabia makes sense from their financial point of view. From Rangers’ perspective, Tavernier can’t be let go.
In other Rangers news, Danilo has shared a new injury update after Clement confirmed his season had been brought to an end
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