It was the archetypal ‘icing on the cake’, with Glasgow Rangers captain James Tavernier stunningly curling home in stoppage time to add some sparkle to the scoreline at Ibrox on Saturday.
It should not be overlooked that the long-serving player swept his free kick into the roof of the net, as the 34-year-old remains such a threat from the dead ball.
That last spell of magic ensured the defender remains the Glasgow side’s top scorer this season with 14 goals in all competitions, as he also led the way in terms of total goal involvement (20).
|
Tavernier Rangers record for the season |
||
|---|---|---|
|
The season |
Games |
Terms (Help) |
|
2025/26 |
46 |
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) |
Certain starter or not, amid Dujon Sterling’s presence, Tavernier continues to make an impact when called upon. The question is how long will he last in Danny Rohl’s team?
The latest on Tavernier’s contract situation at Rangers
There may be a sense that the Gers are waiting for the season to finish before making any decision on Tavernier’s future, although it does not bode well given that the club’s captain, John Souttar, has already been added in recent weeks.
Like Tavernier, the Scotsman’s contract was due to expire this summer, although the Ibrox management have offered him a new deal until 2027, with the option of a further year.
As noted by Football Insider, the main concern is Tavernier’s age, which is why talks are believed to have yet to start on any new terms.
Indeed, as reported late last week, the right-back is taking home wages in the region of £30k-a-week, which equates to £1.5m-a-year, to ensure there may be a desire to move him off the wage bill heading into next season.
In recent key meetings with the likes of Hearts and Celtic, for example, Rohl favors the aforementioned Sterling at right back, there are still concerns about Tavernier’s defensive appeal.
The captain, to his credit, has remained loyal to the club despite repeated talk of a move away in recent years, although could this summer mark the right time to part ways?
If so, the most important decision Rohl will make will be the future of the armband, with a few candidates coming to the table in recent months.
The £3m Rangers star could be Rohl’s next captain after Tavernier
Apart from Tavernier, Souttar and 33-year-old goalkeeper Jack Butland, there is a sense of youth and inexperience in this current Rangers squad, with eight of the starting eleven in the 4-1 win over Aberdeen new signings this season.
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Apart from Butland and Souttar, the latter a rookie, 25-year-old Nicolas Raskin could be a contender for the belt, even if his Belgian future is up for debate in the summer.
With that in mind, it would not be hyperbolic to suggest that January arrival Tuur Rommens could be among the possible vacancies, with compatriot Raskin starting life at Ibrox.
In an era that has seen new arrivals take time to get up to speed in Glasgow, the 22-year-old has been one of the few to hit the ground running, settling in well following his arrival from Westerlo.
Signed for a fee of just £3m, the consummate left-back could still be considered a coup on recent evidence, having just scored one goal in a vital 1-0 win at St Mirren.
Rommens also had a hand in the opener against the Dons at the weekend, with his fine work down the left leading to Tochi Chukwuani’s strike, now creating four ‘big’ chances and averaging 2.7 key passes per game from his six Premiership appearances so far.
In comparison, Tavernier’s 29 outings this season have put him over 2.2 points, although he has included 17 ‘big chances’ in total, with Rommens set to prove Rangers’ new attacking weapon in the back line.
Something of a creative step into the Englishman’s shoes then, Rommens’ calm start to life at Ibrox should see him succeed Tavernier as captain.
That is the view shared by broadcaster David Edgar, who suggested that although patience is needed, the arrival of January should be “in contention”.
There is also the outstanding figure of Emmanuel Fernandez alongside him as another wild card option, however Rommens will be a suitable successor to Tavernier if the recent months are anything to go by.
First impressions aren’t everything, and sometimes they can be misleading, but the boy from Belgium is making good.
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