Rangers captain James Tavernier has been linked with a departure from Ibrox

Philippe Clement already has James Tavernier replacement as Rangers transfer update emerges

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

21 Jul 2024, 8:30 am

Philippe Clement is set to be left with a gaping hole in the squad as James Tavernier edges closer to a Rangers exit this summer.

The right-back's move to Turkish side Trabzonspor is expected to be completed in the coming days, according to The 4th Official, which was all but confirmed by the manager on Saturday 20 July.

Manchester United travelled to Murrayfield Stadium to take on the Gers in a pre-season friendly, a game that Tavernier was left out of completely by the manager.

While Clement cited injury as the reason for this, most fans have come to terms with starting the 2024/25 campaign without their club captain at Ibrox, turning their attention to who could replace him.

That is an extremely difficult role to fill, having scored 125 goals in 460 matches since arriving from Wigan Athletic in 2015, but they may not need to look far for his successor.

Dujon Sterling to step up as James Tavernier nears Rangers exit

Dujon Sterling has come on leaps and bounds since the new manager was appointed in October, becoming a utility man for the Belgian throughout last term.

While injuries have been somewhat of a concern during his time in Scotland, those worries look to be behind him now, perfectly in time for Tavernier's exit to Turkey.

The 24-year-old's honest answers during the Gers' poor run towards the end of last season, losing the Scottish Premiership title to Old Firm rivals Celtic, was enough to convince some he could be a club captain in the future.

Rangers may already have an ideal replacement for James Tavernier in the form of Dujon Sterling.

Sterling certainly has the ability and confidence to lead his team to victory, and Clement may decide to trust him with that power once the current right-back departs this summer.

If the recent reports are to be believed, Tavernier could be set to leave the club very soon.

In other Rangers news, Philippe Clement is waiting on a financial windfall to complete new Rangers signings.

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Rangers

James Tavernier

Dujon Sterling

Philippe Clement