Shock new Rangers Tavernier stat may change everything | OneFootball

Staggeringly, shockingly, stunningly, a small stat took place at Ibrox yesterday which is almost ridiculous, and demonstrates some of the problem Rangers have had in recent years:

Rangers v Dundee United was the first (significant) league match since October 2021 that James Tavernier hasn’t been involved in, and that previously was to give Nathan Patterson a full run out. Since then, for over three years, Tavernier has started or been subbed in during every single match, with that astonishing run only ending v Jim Goodwin’s side.

The slight caveat is Adam Devine during the Split of 2022, but the league was well gone by then.

And yes, he has been awol for a few non-league matches – cup and league cup in particular, but those are a different kettle of fish requiring some rotation.

In the bread and butter of meaningful league, Tavernier has played some part of every match since that October, showing just how significant yesterday actually was.

This was the first time in recent memory that he’s warmed up but not actually come on, and it’s certainly eye-opening – a change in the guard? Younger models just better?

Bit of all of that, but Tav is 33 now and can’t play every match – of course this was the first return after the break and he still didn’t play – true, fans can’t blame him for bad results now, but that’s not the point.

After a decade at Rangers, Tav’s time is coming to an end, and even Clement is now starting to leave him on the bench.

Wonder if Stevie and Bealey are paying attention…