Where James Tavernier will go next after Rangers exit as mega money and factors close to home tipped
The Rangers captain will leave the club at the end of this season.
James Tavernier’s settled family life could be a factor in a possible next move within Scotland - as a big money Saudi switch is tipped for time e after Rangers.
The right-back has announced he is leaving the club he joined 11 years ago this summer, having served as captain since 2018, and winning every major trophy in Scottish football. Rangers will seek a replacement for him, but the player himself does not appear set on retirement, sparking questions on what comes next.
Alex Rae worked with the right-back during his time as a coach at the club he represented as a player, assisting during the Philippe Clement era. Rae reckons his settled family life could see him stick very close to Rangers, somewhere else in Scotland.
Who will James Tavernier sign for after Rangers?
He said on Clyde 1: “We heard his press conference the other day. I genuinely think he probably knew at that time as well. I don’t think on the back of it you go, ‘do you know what James? We’re going to let you go in the summer.’ I think that would’ve already been discussed. I think they’ve just come to the decision that they are going to release it now. Which is quite strange really, with the run-in and things – it’s a distraction for me.
“I just don’t think it’s a positive story that your captain’s leaving when you’re chasing a title. There’s clarity. But see the thing is, why wait so long? If he’d said it four months ago and said, ‘listen, we’ve come to the end of the road and he’s going to give his all between now and the end of the season.’
This is the final furlong for everyone concerned at the football club. You’re away in Spain doing your preparation and then coming back for your last push. Then that gets released. For me, I don’t think it’s the ideal situation. But you could’ve said that three months ago when you’re still chasing a so forth. So I don’t think there’s ever a real appropriate time.
Could James Tavernier make move to Saudi Arabia
“However, what it might do is put everything to bed and you can now focus on the run-in. He would want to play every minute, wants to be involved, and he is that type. This is playing devil’s advocate, if a contract was offered to him because of his relationship and how settled he is in this part of Glasgow cause he stays up by me, I don’t get the impression he would want to go down to England for a year or two.
“I think he’s settled, his kids are settled up here, playing football for the Rangers academy. I think that will be a factor and that could be something for his next move in Scotland. I don’t think they have taken up the option to retain him next year.”
Tony Watt was also on the panel and the current Partick Thistle striker who faced Tavernier several times at Premiership level reckons big money in the middle-east could await the 34-year-old. He added: “I’d love to see him go to a Saudi or somewhere like that to earn his last couple of quid. Go away abroad, finish at Rangers on a high, and start winding down. Sit on a beach, play against Ronaldo, that’s it.’
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