James Tavernier set to part of ‘radical’ Rangers change with new captain
Russell Martin has plenty of work to do at Ibrox to get his Rangers side refreshed before the start of the new season.
While the new boss won’t be able to overhaul the entire squad at this stage, with Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers now in place, it is the mark of a new era.
Therefore, Martin needs to create enough change to prove that he will be different to what’s come before at Ibrox.
That may, however, mean bad news for James Tavernier.
Martin urged to strip Tavernier captaincy at Rangers
Although Tavernier has been at Ibrox since 2015, supporters are divided over what he has left to give Rangers now.
At 33-years-old, the defender made 33 Scottish Premiership appearances for his side last term, although his performances were not always up to the standards you would expect.
| Season | Appearances | Goals |
| 2024/25 | 33 | 4 |
| 2023/24 | 38 | 17 |
| 2022/23 | 38 | 16 |
As Rangers captain, too, Tavernier often found himself taking the brunt of the criticism on behalf of all of his teammates when things were going wrong.
With that in mind, there has been plenty of speculation surrounding the captain’s position, with the potential for Martin to make a real statement of change upon his arrival.
Although the 39-year-old has backed his captain so far, Keith Jackson has urged for a new era to be marked, with a replacement already named.
When asked if Martin should stand by Tavernier, Jackson told the Daily Record (9 June): “No. Unfairly or not, Tavernier has been the poster boy for the Rangers’ underachievement over the last ten years.
“It’s time for radical change. If Nico Raskin is staying, then he should be given the armband.”
Martin has to gauge supporters’ feelings at Ibrox
While Martin will ultimately be judged by results on the pitch and improvement in performances, as he finds his footing, he also has to manage supporters’ feelings.
After the past couple of seasons, there is plenty of apathy amongst those in the stands at Ibrox, and they will want to feel as though they have a new manager who understands their perspectives.
Although Tavernier has been a mainstay, if the Gers can agree on another contract with Raskin, then he has to be made the face of the new era.
Furthermore, if the current captain’s game time is likely to decrease anyway, it may be a decision that makes sense, with Raskin sensational in recent months.
That’s not to say that Tavernier can’t have plenty of impact in the dressing room, and he is well deserving of credit in his testimonial year at Ibrox.