The uncertainty has ended as James Tavanier approaches the final five games of his remarkable 11-year stay at Glasgow Rangers.
Some will look back on that achievement with dissatisfaction as the Englishman stands for a team that has so far won only one Premiership victory and only two major domestic trophies since winning promotion 10 years ago.
But to others, the departing 34-year-old will be seen as an undeniable shining light during a somewhat turbulent era at Ibrox, an eccentric full-back who carried this Gers side on his back many times.
To be honest, there is probably no other right-back in Glasgow or elsewhere like him, who has scored 144 goals in all competitions since joining as a bargain from Wigan Athletic.
He will be leading the way in that respect again in 2025/26, but it’s hard to argue that now is the right time to call it quits.
Why Rangers and Tavernier made the right decision regarding his future
On paper, it was another typical Tavernier season at Ibrox. The long-serving captain ranks first in all competitions with 14 goals, and is also top in total goal involvement (20).
But that doesn’t tell the whole story, and the recent 6-3 win over Falkirk revealed long-standing concerns about his defensive application, which gave away a penalty in that intense incident.
That afternoon alone, the attack-minded right-back was dribbled past twice and lost the ball 29 times, perhaps highlighting why manager Danny Rolle has backed Dujon Sterling at the recent summit between Hearts and Celtic.
Sterling’s own fitness concerns, having featured in just 13 games this season, may have prompted the Light Blues to extend Tavernier’s stay, but as one of Ibrox’s top earners, the captain’s departure seems a wise move.
Indeed, Rolle is building an exciting young team for the future, retaining players like Tavernier, who has always had a complicated relationship with those watching at Ibrox.
Tavernier Rangers’ season results | ||
|---|---|---|
season | game | Goal (assist) |
2025/26 | 49 | 14(6) |
2024/25 | 53 | 5 (13) |
2023/24 | 58 | 24(12) |
2022/23 | 55 | 18(10) |
2021/22 | 58 | 18(17) |
2020/21 | 46 | 19(16) |
2019/20 | 46 | 3 (15) |
2018/19 | 57 | 17(20) |
2017/18 | 46 | 9(9) |
2016/17 | 44 | 2 (7) |
2015/16 | 50 | 15(23) |
Love him or hate him, the free-scoring full-back has long been this team’s talisman, and a decision will be made as to who will take that mantle.
Rangers have a strong candidate to replace Tavernier as captain.
In terms of experience, the likes of John Souter and Jack Butland would be in the slot to take over the armband, although the former is no longer guaranteed to be a starter, while the latter is perhaps as divisive as Tavernier, who has had his best performance this season while also making six errors leading to shots and goals.
Recent signings such as Tour Romans and Emmanuel Fernandes are in contention after getting off to a good start at Ibrox, but the hot candidate could be Nico Raskin, Rangers’ standout player in recent weeks.
The Belgian, a sometimes combustible figure, has endured his own tumultuous years in recent years, falling out with the likes of Philippe Clement and Russell Martin in particular, and was left out of the Old Firm’s matchday squad in August.
But that was yesterday’s news, with the midfielder back on the front lines under Rohr’s regime and has been a particular talisman of late.
The 25-year-old, who contributed to three of the four goals in the home game against Aberdeen, also scored Romence’s winning goal against St Mirren with a fine ball into the box.
Ruskin was again involved in five of the six goals against Falkirk and put the visitors ahead after the break with his sixth goal of the season.
Now with up to 16 goals and assists in all competitions, the former Standard Liège man has reached a genuine purple patch and is once again showing why he is hailed as the club’s ‘best player’ by Chris Sutton.
That position has once again been justified, and considering he has already captained Rangers recently, it would not be surprising to see that honor given to him permanently.
There is, of course, persistent debate over his future at the club, but with two years left on his existing contract instead of one, Rolle and co are under no pressure to sell heading into this summer.
With four goals and an assist in his last four Premiership games, along with a string of indirect involvements, the Belgian is hitting his stride at the right time of the season, as the best players do when it comes to winning titles.
The next five games could be the perfect audition for Tavernier to replace him as captain.
His value increases by 234%: Rangers have already sold the perfect Tavernier replacement
Rangers have already sold their star, who would be the perfect successor to right-back James Tavanier.
