Philippe Clement to make James Tavernier decision at Rangers amid Ibrox exit speculation
Chris Jack admits he expects Philippe Clement to start James Tavernier in Rangers’ season opener against Hearts.
The Light Blues skipper missed the start of pre-season through injury and has been surrounded by speculation throughout the summer as he continues to be linked with a move away from Ibrox [Rangers Review, 23 July].
Although Rangers Review journalist Jack believes the 32-year-old was “miles off it” in the Gers’ pre-season clash against Union Berlin, he thinks Clement will give him the nod over Dujon Sterling.
Speaking on the Rangers Review YouTube channel (2 August, 21:00) he said: “The manager addressed Dujon’s fitness after the game in Berlin last weekend and I think it’s a case of putting in Sterling who has not had a clean pre-season.
“Potentially putting a Tavernier in who’s not had a clean pre-season so I think it will come down to who’s the fittest and who does the manager think can get through the minutes and add more to the side.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Tav plays, but that decision is being made fully in the knowledge that in that game in Berlin, he was miles off it.
“But Sterling wasn’t fit enough to make that game, now it was only a friendly and he could have been risked so it does depend on the manager’s view.
“We know how strict the manager can be on the minutes players have to have got through, the number of sessions they have to have played, he’s a stickler for that kind of thing.
“So you would think if Tav started last weekend, he’s closer to starting than Dujon Sterling.”
Will James Tavernier exit Rangers amid Ibrox transfer speculation?
While some supporters will be disappointed if Tavernier is named in the Gers’ starting XI when the teams drop ahead of Saturday’s (3 August) clash at Tynecastle, it does feel as though Clement’s hands are slightly tied.
Sterling has had another disrupted pre-season with injury and while most expected him to be the first choice right back this season, he can’t be thrown in the deep end if he isn’t fit or prepared.
The Light Blues simply have to get their campaign underway with a win, otherwise they could be handing Celtic an early advantage in the title race and last season showed just how hard that is to come back from.
Tavernier has insisted he is focused on the task at hand at Ibrox this year, rather than speculation around his future so if he is named in the starting XI, supporters will at least know that he is giving his all for the side.
Hopefully, that will be enough to pick up all three points.
In other Rangers news, Hearts have been tipped to make a Lawrence Shankland exit decision amid links with a move to Ibrox
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