Former Rangers boss claims departure of Ibrox star will silence his critics as contract expiration nears
The man who signed the Rangers captain continues to stick by him despite the fact he’s no longer at the club
Former Rangers boss Mark Warburton believes fans won’t fully appreciate the impact skipper James Tavernier has had at the club until he leaves.
The captain has been the subject of scrutiny from the support throughout his tenure at Ibrox, despite the fact he is one of the clubs’ most loyal ever servants, having made over 500 appearances for the Light Blues in 11 years. During one of the most difficult period in the club’s history, Tavernier has won a Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup trophy, while scoring over 100 goals from right back and helping Rangers to a European final. However, when things go wrong, the 34-year old is always the first to get it in the neck.
After being signed by Warburton from Wigan Athletic in 2015 for £200,000, Tavernier showed early signs that he had what it takes to play for Rangers with his ability to bomb forward and his accuracy from dead ball situations, something he’s displayed week in, week out at Ibrox over the past decade. With the right back now set to leave the club in the summer upon the expiration of his contract, Warburton thinks only then, will he be fully appreciated by the Ibrox faithful.
Warburton hits back at Tavernier critics
The former gaffer told Rangers Review: “I get calls from Rangers fans who say: ‘He’s got a good goal… but, and he hit a great cross in… but.’ When Tav’s not there, you’ll be the first ones to be saying: ‘If only we had Tavernier back.’ When he hits a 25-yard free kick, or he hits a great delivery, coming in for someone to attack and score, or even change the momentum of a game.
“He can hit one of those dangerous balls, and it might not get the end product of the goal, but the crowd are suddenly lifted, and Tav’s got that in boatloads. He has to be thick-skinned, but he’s genuinely a top-class character. I can’t speak highly enough of him. He’s been outstanding for Rangers. Anyone who criticises him should look themselves in the mirror and say: ‘Look what he’s done for Rangers’.”
What is the likelihood of Tavernier leaving in the summer?
There has been no indication that the Rangers skipper has engaged in new contract talks beyond the summer. Only John Souttar has signed a new deal of the players set to leave the club after this season, while backup keeper Liam Kelly has entered negotiations with the club. Tavernier, Kieran Wright, Ben Davies, Leon King and Bailey Rice are all set to leave in the coming months.
With Rangers currently in the midst of a gripping three-way title race, Tavernier insists his full focus is on beating league leaders Hearts and third placed Celtic to the trophy this season and isn’t looking beyond that. Rangers currently sit a point behind the Jambos, but two clear of their Glaswegian rivals. After Rangers’ recent Scottish Cup defeat at home to Celtic, Tavernier was asked a about his view on potentially signing a new deal but avoided the question, outlining his goals for the current campaign instead.
He answered: “I obviously want to play, but the manager holds the cards to all of it and what team he selects, and you’ve just got to be fully behind the team of whatever team he selects. You’ve just got to keep working hard. I just want to give it my all, like I’ve always done, and that’s the best I possibly can do for myself. The team are working continuously hard, and we would obviously like to see silverware at the end of the season.”