‘I worked with James Tavernier for three months, this is what Rangers must do next’
James Tavernier has been a fantastic servant for Rangers.
The right-back signed for the club in 2015, as the club were searching for promotion back to the Scottish Premiership.
Tavernier was named as club captain ahead of the 2018-19 campaign and has played an integral role in forming the modern-day Rangers.
While the 34-year-old is still a key part of Danny Rohl’s plans at Ibrox, Tavernier’s current deal with Rangers is set to expire at the end of the season.
Former interim manager Barry Ferguson has given his thoughts on the full-back, whose future still remains in the air as Rangers chase down league leaders Hearts.
Barry Ferguson gives thoughts on James Tavernier future
Tavernier has racked up 3,032 minutes across all competitions this season, and put in a stunning performance over the weekend, as Rangers beat Queen’s Park 8-0 at Ibrox to book their place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.
Tavernier would net a hat-trick on the day, after he provided the assist for Ryan Naderi’s opener in the eighth minute.
Speaking to Go Radio after Sunday’s clash, former Rangers boss Ferguson said: “This is the big question. I would give him a new one-year contract. Not just because he deserves it, because he’s been a great servant for Rangers, and I still believe he has a lot to offer the team.”
Following the dismissal of Phillipe Clement in February last year, Ferguson would see out the final months of the season in charge at Ibrox, before the disastrous Russell Martin experiment began over the summer.
“I don’t think you can buy experience and that’s one thing Tavernier’s got,” added the 48-year-old, who spent a period in caretaker charge at Ibrox last term.
“He’s also got good ability, he’s a good leader and a good guy to have around the dressing room, because I’ve worked with him for three months.
“He’s a very good professional, so I think it would be a no-brainer to give him a new one-year contract,” concluded Ferguson.
Sitting three points behind league leaders Hearts, Rangers are in the hunt for their first league triumph since 2021.
With a clash against Hearts coming up soon, as well as successive outings in both league and cup against Celtic, the upcoming period could well define what could potentially be Tavernier’s final months as a Rangers player.
- Read more: ‘For those who don’t know James Tavernier, let me tell you something about Rangers captain’
James Tavernier has been a fantastic servant, and he still has a lot to offer for Rangers
It goes without saying that a player with over 500 appearances for a single club is a fantastic servant. But that is exactly what Tavernier is.
The right-back has been part of some superb years at Ibrox, including their rampant title-winning year of 2020-21, and the 2021-22 campaign in which Rangers reached the Europa League final.
Scoring 143 goals and registering 147 assists, Tavernier has provided consistent attacking output for the club – something that will be almost irreplaceable in his position when the time does come.
Even at 34, the right-back still has a lot to offer. His 18 goal contributions this season prove exactly that.
Even if Tavernier is reaching the latter stages of his career, his service alone has granted him the opportunity to sign a new deal.