Rangers: Michael Beale has one wish for James Tavernier as emotional Ibrox exit announced

Rangers are preparing for a pivotal end to the season in the coming weeks as they bid to lift the Scottish Premiership title, in what will be James Tavernier's swansong.

With league action paused ahead of the weekend, the Gers announced that captain Tavernier will leave the club at the end of the campaign.

The right-back has been a constant presence since Rangers’ return to the top flight in 2016, and has at times been a talismanic figure, most notably when the Govan side won the title in 2021 and reached the Europa League final a year later.

Rangers head into the closing weeks locked at the top of the table alongside Hearts and Celtic.

And with the title still on the line, former manager Michael Beale has one wish for Tavernier as he prepares to bring his Ibrox career to a close.

Michael Beale in support of James Tavernier following contract announcement

Tavernier's emotional 454-word statement announcing his Rangers exit said much about the man. It cannot have been an easy decision, but he will also have known the time was right. After all, time waits for no one.

Renowned for his work up and down the right flank, the 34-year-old has scored a remarkable 144 goals in 562 appearances for the Gers. There may yet be more to come.

Following the announcement, former Rangers manager Beale took to Instagram to pay tribute to Tavernier’s career.

“The comments from your team-mates and staff speak volumes for your impact as a player, team-mate and friend,” wrote Beale.

And with the season moving towards its decisive stage, he added one final message: “Go and write the perfect last chapter.”

With five matches remaining, Danny Rohl’s side sit one point behind league leaders Hearts, while Old Firm rivals Celtic are a further two points back.

James Tavernier has had his critics - but he will be remembered fondly

Throughout his time at Ibrox, Tavernier has come in for criticism from fanbases across the country.

The same has naturally applied in-house, given the exceptionally high expectations that come with representing a club of Rangers’ stature.

During his spell in Glasgow, Tavernier has competed for 30 major trophies, with only three finding their way into his personal cabinet - a return that is simply not high enough at one of the nation’s giants.

And yet, despite that, the full-back has never shied away from criticism. He has remained a consummate professional throughout, earning plenty of praise along the way.

Always at the forefront of everything concerning Rangers, it was inevitable that the captain would shoulder responsibility for the club’s failings over the years, particularly amid Celtic’s dominance for much of the past decade.

Yet he has been an ever-present figure, and that can never be taken away from him.

One of the most loyal men to wear the colours, Tavernier will be remembered fondly as a flawed defender but a talismanic leader during the club’s re-establishment at the top level of Scottish football.