James Tavernier contract situation becomes clear as Rangers starting XI confirmed vs Celtic
James Tavernier starts on the bench as Rangers face Celtic in the William Hill Premiership on Sunday.
Danny Rohl has made two changes to his team at Ibrox as Martin O’Neill’s team look to get back to winning ways in the league.
Dujon Sterling and Ryan Naderi has replaced Tavernier and Djeidi Gassama, and that’s probably what many fans in G51 would’ve wanted to see.
While the 34-year-old has been a major attacking threat for the Light Blues, his defensive frailties are always called into question in big games.
James Tavernier will be lucky to get Rangers contract extension after Danny Rohl snub vs Celtic
Tavernier is in the final months of his Gers contract, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.
The Englishman will complete a decade at Ibrox soon, and he will surely leave as one of the best players in the Light Blues’ history.
While the veteran right-back is the Govan side’s leading goalscorer in all competitions this season, it doesn’t look like they have any intention of extending his stay beyond the current campaign.
Tavernier was also dropped to the bench for the crunch game against Hearts at home, with the Glaswegian outfit eventually winning 4-2.
It’s clear that Rohl prefers Sterling over the club captain in the starting lineup, which surely makes it clear he won’t be offered a new contract.
Danny Rohl has summer transfer priority after Ibrox overhaul
Rohl will see his defensive options decrease at the Gers in the summer, with the likes of Max Aarons, Nasser Djiga and Jayden Meghoma returning to their parent clubs after their loan spells end.
With Tavernier’s exit also possibly on the cards, Sterling, John Souttar, Emmanuel Fernandez and Tuur Rommens will need support at Rangers ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
The right-back spot will be an evident priority for Rohl, considering the former Chelsea ace’s consistent fitness issues at Ibrox.
A quality replacement for the Light Blues’ captain will undoubtedly be necessary in the upcoming transfer window, but only time will tell what the future holds for some of the players in Govan.
For more in-depth analysis of the Gers, visit Football Insider.