Rangers ‘sound out’ Tavernier replacement if captain leaves | OneFootball

In the event of Rangers captain James Tavernier for pastures new, the Ibrox side are said to have ‘a replacement’ scouted and in place, and it’s maybe not someone Rangers fans will be absolutely blown away by.

Cyrus Christie, 31, most recently of Hull, is yet another free agent Rangers have been looking at, with the ability to ‘buy’ a Tavernier replacement naturally over with the exit of the Scottish window last week.

Christie taps into what Ibrox Noise reported earlier, that Rangers are sounding out free agents with a little more vigour this time around, and Christie is viewed as a potentially handy free replacement for the captain if he chooses to move on.

He has 28 Premier League appearances for Fulham, while the heavy bulk of his career was in the Championship between Hull, Swansea, Forest and Derby to name just a few, and of course has turned out for the Republic of Ireland almost 30 times owing to an Irish grandparent.

So he’s definitely not a horrible player – is he marquee level of the full backs of old, as Ibrox Noise talked about the other day?

Is he a Gary Stevens, an Arthur Numan, an Alan Hutton?

No, he’s clearly a bit below that level, these were top class talents, world class in places – a Championship fullback doesn’t match that, nowhere near.

But in terms of an ‘emergency’ free agent addition in the event of Tavernier leaving the club, we suppose he’s not horrible.

And before the same fans yell ‘Dujon Sterling’, no, he’s not a RB, even if he was forced to play there a lot earlier in his career. His best position is midfield, simple as that.

As things stand, Rangers have just Tav there or arguably Leon Balogun, aside fitness issues. We can’t rely on the Nigerian to always be fit, unfortunately, and Adam Devine is completely surplus.

Which is why bringing in Christie would probably actually be a wise move even if Tav doesn’t leave. Clement has hinted Tav won’t play every match this season, not that we believe him, but if he’s good to his word the captain won’t start the lot.

No sign of that taking place though, and we suspect only his departure would see him not in the XI any more.

Christie coming in?

We’ll see.