Tavernier to see out final year at Rangers on one condition – Exclusive
James Tavernier’s future at Ibrox remains unclear, despite the Rangers captain still having another year to run on his contract.
The Englishman is approaching the end of his 10th season as a Rangers player, taking in numerous highs and lows across that period.
Tavernier appeared to be finished under Philippe Clement, but he has once again become a regular under the watch of interim boss Barry Ferguson.
Talk of Tavernier exiting Ibrox this summer refuses to go away, arguably even more so should the takeover be finalised this side of the transfer window.
Tavernier set for Rangers testimonial
Whether Tavernier stays or goes, he is in line for a Rangers testimonial thanks to his decade of service at Ibrox.
Even supporters who just love to hate the skipper will not begrudge him the chance to run out at Ibrox one final time, whenever that may be.
In the view of pundit Derek Ferguson, it may well be that Tavernier yet stays on in Glasgow for a further 12 months beyond this season.
However, Ferguson believes that would only be on the condition of the defender accepting he will have a more limited role to play going forward.
Ferguson, speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, said: “Since the change positionally he’s done really well defensively.
“I’ve been critical of him for being caught on his blindside, but he’s improved that – is that to do with the new coaches?
“He’s due a testimonial, so maybe it will be a case of one more year. But whether he’d be a permanent fixture is debatable.
| Tavernier | Rangers |
| Scottish Premiership apps | 341 |
| Scottish Premiership goals | 94 |
| Overall apps | 504 |
| Overall goals | 130 |
“You’d hope Rangers would bring in a better quality of player to the club. Would Tavernier be happy playing second fiddle?
“Sometimes in this day and age, players want assurances they’ll play regularly. I don’t agree with that but it does happen.
“So I can see him maybe staying on for one more year in his testimonial year. That’d probably make a bit more sense.”
Tavernier still has big part to play for Rangers
One thing that is certain when it comes to Tavernier is that he will continue to be regularly selected between now and the end of the campaign.
And given Rangers are still fighting for success in the Europa League, with a quarter-final against Athletic Bilbao to come, Ferguson needs Tavernier to be fit and firing.
There is no doubt that pretty much every Rangers player has improved under the new coaches, and fingers crossed that can propel the Gers to some unexpected silverware on the continent.
Achieve that and Tavernier will be a Rangers hero for the rest of his days.