Credit: Imago and Premier Sports via YouTube

Daniel Lewis

Tue 21 April 2026 17:10, UK

Rangers have an “issue” when it comes to finding a replacement for James Tavernier, according to Michael Stewart.

Tavernier is due to be out of contract at Ibrox at the end of the current campaign and has yet to have been offered fresh terms.

The long-serving skipper has publicly said he will not rule out staying on in Glasgow, but the ball is now very much in Rangers’ court.

Former Wigan Athletic defender Tavernier has been a Rangers player since July 2015 and has accrued more than 500 appearances in all competitions.

With Tavernier looking more likely to leave Rangers than stay, Stewart is the latest to share his opinion on the matter.

Rangers need to prioritise right-back signing

Tavernier has not exactly been a regular starter under Danny Rohl, but he has still played 49 matches for Rangers in all competitions this season.

On that basis, it would seem strange that Rangers would replace him at the end of the campaign.

That is unless a better alternative is found, of course, with Rangers in the market for a new right-back this summer.

Dujon Sterling was recruited to be Tavernier’s successor, but that has not really transpired so far.

And speaking on Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Show, Stewart said Rangers will need to find an alternative with it now looking as though Tavernier is on his way.

“Rangers have got a bit of an issue in that they’ve not got an obvious successor,” he said. “Sterling’s not always fit – if he was, perhaps this scenario would have come to a head sooner than now.

“They clearly need to find someone as a long-term solution, but it certainly feels like it’s coming to an end of what has been a hugely successful time for James Tavernier at Rangers.”

Rohl has more immediate issues to contend with, namely pipping Hearts and Celtic to the title, but the 49ers once again have a big summer to prepare for.

What has Tavernier said about Rangers future?

Tavernier confirmed this week he has yet to be offered a new deal by Rangers and he genuinely has no idea what the future holds.

However, the full-back did add that he believes he has another four years in him as a footballer, taking him to the age of 38.

The question is exactly where will he be plying his trade come August. A natural assumption to make is that he joins a team south of the border, perhaps in the Championship.

For all his critics, Tavernier can still do a job when called upon and his quite staggering goalscoring record will always turn heads.

Just as important as that, he will be available on a free contract and will therefore be considered a bit of a free-signing coup by many clubs.

This is assuming Rangers do not offer fresh terms themselves, however, which would leave Tav with a massive call to make if that happens.

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