James Tavernier pay off mooted at Rangers with early exit on cards
Mark Guidi has told Rangers they need to get rid of James Tavernier in the January transfer window as fan sentiment has turned against the captain.
The 33-year-old has put in some poor performances this season, and Philippe Clement’s decisions regarding his selection aren’t making things any clearer, with the captain starting one week and then being dropped to the bench.
The right-back’s displays in the current campaign haven’t warranted his continuity in the team, and speaking on the Go Radio Football Show Podcast, Guidi has urged the Light Blues to part ways with the defender, despite feeling sorry for him.
“I’ve said it for a few months now, I think he should’ve gone in the summer for his own sake and for the club’s sake. There has to be a new captain,” he said.
“They need to move on from him. He’s been a brilliant servant. He’s 33.
“I feel for him, but Rangers are bigger than any one player. And this is a problem that Rangers, whether they need to pay out his contract, they need to find a way and I think he has to move on in January for everybody’s sake. And then the Rangers supporters can move on as well.
“I think it’s really sad to see a number of Rangers fans, they’ve really turned on him and it’s not pleasant to see that.”
Rangers need to move on from James Tavernier
Tavernier has been a loyal servant at Rangers for years now, but every player has to leave the club one day, and it looks like the right-back’s chapter at Ibrox is coming to a close.
While the 33-year-old is still an asset for the Bears in the attack, his defensive contribution leaves a lot to be desired.
Clement has tried to give other full-backs an opportunity, but the Belgian has heavily relied on the captain in most fixtures, and his performances have frustrated fans.
It’s not like the former Monaco manager doesn’t have options at his disposal to start ahead of Tavernier, which makes the whole situation even more baffling.
Dujon Sterling was brilliant as he started in the 1-1 draw against Olympiacos in the Europa League on 7 November and impressed when he came on in the 1-0 win over Hearts on 10 November.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo has also shown immense potential and has caught the eye on several occasions in the current campaign.
It feels like the only reason Clement is sticking with Tavernier is because he’s the captain, but that shouldn’t have a bearing on whether he should be in the team.
The Light Blues have multiple issues at the moment, the biggest being the uncertainty around the head coach, and if not in January, it would be prudent to move on from the club captain before the start of next season.
In other Rangers news, Lewis Ferguson opens up about his disappointment at Ibrox after what he was told.
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