James Tavernier leaving Rangers is now a 'scary prospect'

GiveMeSport

·14 November 2023

James Tavernier leaving Rangers is now a 'scary prospect'

Rangers right-back James Tavernier could leave a sizable hole at Ibrox if he left the club, as journalist Dean Jones provides his verdict on the impact of the defender’s potential Gers departure.

Head coach Philippe Clement has kept the full-back as a highly influential team member following his appointment as manager of the Glasgow giants last month.

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But Tavernier has been criticised by the Rangers faithful at points this season after the Gers' difficult start to the campaign in the Scottish Premiership and Europe. However, the Rangers star remains part of Clement’s plans for the side’s future.

Tavernier’s struggles this season

Rangers completed the signing of Tavernier alongside striker Martyn Waghorn from Wigan Athletic in the summer of 2015. The Gers were then a Scottish Championship outfit, having battled their way through the divisions following their demotion to the fourth tier ahead of the start of the 2012/13 campaign.

Since then, Tavernier has been part of a team that secured its return to the pinnacle of Scottish football, winning a Premiership title, Scottish Cup, Challenge Cup, and Championship title. The 32-year-old has been made Rangers captain, having kept the armband following Michael Beale's sacking and Clement's appointment this term.

However, Tavernier and his teammates have received criticism this term after shock defeats to teams such as Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, and Aris Limassol. Speaking to BBC Sportscene (via The Scottish Sun), pundit Michael Stewart believes the flack the skipper receives is harsh, claiming that the right-back is one of the side’s “main performers.”

Jones recently told GIVEMESPORT that the reported £30,000-per-week earner was silencing his critics after an impressive display in the team’s 3-0 victory at St. Mirren. However, a recent turnaround in form may have changed attitudes towards Tavernier.

Rangers are unbeaten since Clement’s appointment, having opened his spell with a 4-0 thumping of Hibernian in a Premiership clash at Ibrox. A solid point at Sparta Prague in their Europa League group stage campaign preceded a 2-1 victory over the Czech giants two weeks later, keeping the Gers’ chances of progression to the play-off knockout round alive. This month’s 3-1 Viaplay Cup semi-final victory over Hearts means Clement’s side can secure the first piece of silverware of the season when they meet Aberdeen in next month's final at Hampden Park.

Dean Jones update – James Tavernier

Despite his ups and downs, Jones claims that Tavernier is an “influential character” around Ibrox. The journalist has warned that “the grass isn’t always greener” and the skipper’s abilities could be more widely recognised if he were to depart Glasgow in the near future. Jones told GIVEMESPORT:

“He is an influential character to have around that. He’s had ups and downs in his career. But he's been unbelievable, to be honest, in terms of turning up at the right moments and being influential when he needs to be influential. I think you look back, and he's been at the club for a long time. “The moment he leaves is quite a scary prospect, to be honest. As a Rangers fan, you'd like to believe you can come through a moment like that. But the grass isn't always greener, and there genuinely might be a point where some Rangers fans who have questioned him over the years do realise what they had because he's got the character and traits that can dig Rangers out of a hole, and he's continued to do that.”

James Tavernier transfer news

With Tavernier’s Rangers contract expiring in the summer of 2026, it’s unlikely the Gers will force the experienced defender out of the club heading into the winter transfer window. Following his appointment, Clement continues to select the defender, and there have been no suggestions or murmurs of a departure in the coming months.

Tavernier might be eager to see how Rangers progress under Clement, and recent results suggest that exciting times could be ahead for the Glasgow giants.

Rangers’ upcoming fixtures

Rangers can enjoy a two-week international break after last weekend’s 2-0 success at Livingston. The Gers return to action when they travel to Pittodrie to take on Aberdeen on 26th November in a Scottish Premiership clash. The Light Blues hope to avenge the 3-1 defeat that ultimately cost Michael Beale his job last month.

Rangers close out the month with Aris Limassol's visit in a must-win Europa League group stage clash. A win could see Clement’s side all but secure their place in the play-off knockout stage, potentially setting up a final group game showdown with Real Betis for the top spot and automatic qualification for the competition’s last-16.