Barry Ferguson makes James Tavernier admission at Rangers after transfer twist

James Tavernier has shown that he wants to stay at Rangers and continue to lead the team, according to Barry Ferguson.

Writing in his Daily Record column (13 September), the former Gers captain said that current skipper Tavernier seems to have decided to stay put at Ibrox amid interest from clubs in Turkey.

The Super Lig's transfer window closes on Friday (13 September), but Ferguson backed Tavernier to put the Light Blues' 3-0 loss to Celtic behind him and lead his side once more against Dundee United this weekend.

Ferguson said: "I can imagine that he’ll be feeling pretty torn right now.

"He could have chosen to pick up the phone to his agent and tell him to thrash out a deal before the Turkish window closes. Instead, he seems to have nipped it in the bud.

"That tells me he wants to lead that team back out of the tunnel at Tannadice on Sunday, and front up the process of trying to make up for what went on a couple of weeks ago."

Rangers need a response as James Tavernier stays put

Criticism was always set to come Tavernier's way following a demoralising loss at Parkhead in which the Gers were woefully under par, but it appears the 33-year-old has become something of a lightning rod.

Tavernier was far from the Light Blues' best player at Celtic Park and was run ragged throughout by Daizen Maeda, but singling him out as a representative of the entire club's woes does seem harsh.

Furthermore, allowing their skipper to leave after the end of the Scottish Premiership's transfer window would be a massive misstep from the Ibrox hierarchy, despite potential replacements on the free-agent market [HITC, 7 September].

A summer of massive change and upheaval on the pitch would only be complicated further if Philippe Clement has to pick a new captain mid-season, with few clear candidates standing out from the pack.

With Premiership action coming thick and fast following the international break and an Ibrox return also on the horizon for Rangers, the best move for all parties is for Tavernier to stay in post.

In other Rangers news, Philippe Clement has three big decisions to make as he takes his side to Dundee United this weekend.

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