Jefte hailed as new James Tavernier as Rangers medical development emerges
Rangers will be signing the “new James Tavernier” according to one player who has faced Jefte in the Cypriot league this season.
The left-back is set to complete his medical this week at Ibrox to become the first of Philippe Clement’s summer signings, after the club made the initial groundwork for his signature in January.
Ally Reynolds, a former Hibernian youth product named after Ally McCoist, plays for AEZ Zakakiou – who have come up against Jefte’s APOEL Nicosia side twice this term.
Scotsman Reynolds, a Rangers fan, described Jefte in The Scottish Sun: “We played APOEL twice and he was a stand-out both times.
“He’s exactly the same as [Tavernier] but on the other side. Offensively, he’s terrific. He bombs forward and can dribble past people, whip in crosses early or hit the byline.
“There might be some suspicions about him defensively – especially in Scotland, where it’s more physical than in Cyprus.”
Jefte filling the Rangers void
Despite the defensive perceptions of Jefte’s game, you would feel confident that the 20-year-old can improve that side of his game under Clement and his staff – the Belgian won’t stand for any major defensive frailties next season with no room for error in the pursuit of Celtic.
The player could have a significant role to pitch in with next season, as the left-back position undergoes a transition with the expected departure of Borna Barisic – he and John Lundstram are anticipated to join Trabzonspor.
It could be the case that Jefte comes in and initially plays second fiddle to Ridvan Yilmaz, with a long-term view to emulating the Turkish international should the Gers eventually be convinced to take a decent offer.
If both Tavernier and Jefte – two full-backs with primarily attacking instincts – are starting in Clement’s team, the boss may be inclined to leave a deep-sitting anchor in midfield to join the centre-backs out of possession. The advanced full-back pairing for a usually dominant Rangers side, however, is likely to succeed somewhat.
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