Kris Boyd spot on with James Tavernier claim as Steven Naismith names one thing Rangers are missing
Kris Boyd and Steven Naismith have clashed over James Tavernier’s impact at Rangers this season.
Since moving to Ibrox from Bristol City in 2015, Tavernier has made 542 appearances and will undoubtedly go down as one of the all-time greats in Rangers’ history.
Tavernier was brilliant against Braga on 27 November, becoming the joint-second top scorer in Rangers’ European history, moving level with Ally McCoist.
The 34-year-old has still been Rangers’ most effective goal threat, and while Boyd has glowing praise for the right-back, Naismith believes Danny Rohl’s side are still crying out for a leader.
Kris Boyd names James Tavernier as Rangers’ Player of the Season so far
Tavernier is Rangers’ top scorer in all competitions yet again this season, finding the back of the net seven times already in 2025-26.
Tavernier has struggled defensively at times, although Russell Martin would have been sacked much earlier in his Rangers tenure if it weren’t for the veteran’s goals.
Speaking on The Warm-Up podcast on 8 December, Boyd said: “James Tavernier has been Rangers’ best player of the season.”
| Stat | Rangers |
| Appearances | 542 |
| Goals | 137 |
| Assists | 124 |
However, Naismith argued: “In the Rangers team, they’re crying out for someone to lead the team forward. There’s an opportunity for someone to be the hero and drag this Rangers squad into line.”
The numbers are absolutely staggering, given that he’s a defender, and it’s a testament to how important he’s been for the Light Blues over the last 10 years.
Tavernier has been criticised for his lack of leadership under Martin, although as time passes, it has become fairly clear that every single player was low on confidence during the early stages of the season.
Although Rangers are missing a reliable goalscorer, they certainly have a leader who has already dragged them through matches many times in his career.
Boyd is completely correct in his view, with the majority of the squad underperforming under both Martin and Rohl, and Tavernier has been as consistent as possible during a terrible campaign.
It seems shocking that Martin wanted Tavernier to leave Rangers during the summer transfer window, and fans were thrilled that he was allowed to stay.
James Tavernier continues to be invaluable for Rangers
Tavernier was part of the 2021 title-winning side under Steven Gerrard, while also playing a starring role under Giovanni van Bronckhorst as the Bears reached the Europa League final in 2022.
Just this season alone, the right-back has scored crucial goals against Livingston, Braga, and Dundee United to earn the Bears some much-needed points in both the Scottish Premiership and the Europa League.
With his contract set to expire in the summer, there is a real possibility that this campaign could be the last he plays in a Rangers shirt.
Ibrox will be mourning the day he finally plays his last game, and Rohl certainly won’t be taking his presence in the team for granted as the season progresses.
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