The captain will mark 10 years at Ibrox this summer but faces major competition for a starting spot in the team
James Tavernier dejected after Rangers missed penalty in Queen’s Park Scottish Cup defeat
Rangers captain James Tavernier has already made his exit stance clear to the Ibrox powerbrokers ahead of the imminent arrival of Max Aarons.
The 33-year-old has one year left on his current deal in Govan, with this summer marking ten years at the club.
In previous summers he has been touted with a potential move to the Saudi Pro League to link up with Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq – before the Liverpool icon was shown the door – and was also wanted by Trabzonspor.
And speculation over the long-term future of the right-back has ramped up with Aarons set to arrive from Bournemouth on loan as Russell Martin’s first signing.
But speaking in the final weeks of last season, Tavernier insisted he was already looking towards his testimonial year with the Light Blues – and adding to his silverware haul.
He said at the time: “I have got one more year left, I am not looking beyond that.
“I am settled as I have been and I want to win more things, that’s what I want to do.
“I will continue to give everything that I have got, keep working hard and try to achieve bigger and better things for the club.”
The Ibrox Hall of Famer did drop out of the starting XI for spells under Philippe Clement last season as his form suffered a dip and the criticism intensified.
But new boss Martin has already hinted Tavernier will stay at Ibrox next term – insisting he will retain the captain’s armband.
Max Aarons (left) squares off against Vinicius Junior(Image: M Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images)
He said: “If he’s playing. He’s been the captain for a very long time. I don’t see any reason to change that. And if he’s not playing, it will force someone else.”
At times last season, Tavernier was deployed at centre-back during injury-plagued spells. A report from The Herald earlier this week claimed that “more than one source has suggested the player himself sees his long-term role in that position.”
It is noted he is “not expected to make a move away” from the club this summer – but could he cover at centre-back while Aarons slots in on the right side of defence?
Former Rangers striker Ross McCormack doesn’t think so – and had a warning for incoming Aarons.
He told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard: “I know we have spoke time and time again about Tavernier, but up until three or four weeks ago Tavernier could get up and down the pitch at right-back, and now all of a sudden he is not going to be able to?
“If Tavernier is fit, Tavernier will play right-back. He is the club captain and he still delivers numbers that are very, very good.
“Russell Martin knows him and says he is still going to be club captain. I believe he will be fit enough to play nearly every game this season.”
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