I WON’T LEAVE GERS TILL I’VE SUNK CELTIC
Tavernier vows to stay at Ibrox until they land silverware – and topple Hoops from their perch
JAMES TAVERNIER has scoffed at the idea of leaving Rangers because he still has silverware to win and Celtic to see off.
The Ibrox full-back has been linked with a January transfer move to Championship outfits Sunderland and Reading, but Light Blues manager Graeme Murty has told him he can go even higher in the game.
The 26-year-old agrees, but while his boss has touted him for an eventual move to the Premier League, the former Newcastle United kid still has some ambitious heights to scale with Rangers.
The Yorkshireman has enjoyed a stellar season and scored his fifth goal of the campaign as he was hailed for another standout performance in the Ibrox side’s 2-0 win over Aberdeen on Wednesday.
It was Tavernier’s third goal in three games against the Dons as Rangers leapfrogged their Pittodrie rivals to move second on goal difference behind Celtic.
The Ibrox side have been plagued by inconsistency in recent seasons, but Tavernier reckons they are finally going somewhere – and he wants to stay around to reach his personal goals.
He said: “We have to bring silverware to the club. The new additions have brought more quality to the team so I believe winning something is a minimum requirement.
“We are going in the right direction. We have shown the level of performance of which we’re capable in the big games but now we have to show it in every single match. “The new additions have stepped up our game. We have beaten Aberdeen three times now and we had a good performance against Celtic when we felt we could maybe have won the game. We are going in the right direction so now we just have to continue it.
“I don’t like to get into speculation about my deal. I’m still under contract for another 18 months so I’m really happy here. It’s totally down to the club if they want to extend it. I’ll have to wait and see.
“However, I’m fully committed to Rangers. I’m still learning here and I’m still growing here. I came here to win trophies. Also, in all the Old Firm games I’ve played, I’ve only been on the winning side once so far. I want to win some more of them. I still have unfinished business as a Rangers player.”
Tavernier has launched a bulldog breeding business off the park and on it he’s part of a Rangers team Murty is convinced is developing a bulldog spirit.
They have been bolstered by the addition of new boys Russell Martin, Jamie Murphy, Sean Goss and Jason Cummings, all of whom played in the win over the Dons that was more comprehensive than the scoreline suggested.
Tavernier played his part, throwing his body on the line in the closing stages to help Wes Foderingham repel an Aberdeen side that didn’t believe in itself until it was far too late.
He also stepped up to notch his second spot kick of the season against his Reds rivals, even suffering a nerve-jangling wait of five minutes while Dons keeper Joe Lewis received treatment for a serious leg injury before finally sending replacement Danny Rogers the wrong way from 12 yards.
He added: “It took my mind off it, seeing Joe Lewis on the floor. He was obviously really badly hurt. I don’t know him that well, but I’ve spoken to him after games. It’s not nice seeing a fellow professional get injured.
“I had already picked where I was going to put the penalty, so I was nice and calm in the build up to taking it.
“I got put on to penalties earlier this season in a game when Alfredo Morelos didn’t start. I scored it and I’ve been on them ever since.
“We were delighted to get the three points and move up to second in the table. We put on a good display and then rode the storm as Aberdeen put a bit of pressure on at the end.
“Hopefully we’re in second place to stay. That is the minimum we should be aiming for. We sent out a statement on Wednesday night but we can’t let that standard drop.
“We have to go to Ross County on Sunday with the same quality and desire to win the game. We have to get the three points up there.
“It’s always challenging going away to different places when the other teams step their game up against us. But we have to play the way we did against Aberdeen.”
Tavernier has praised the impact of the club’s new signings, with Greg Docherty also added to the squad following his move from Hamilton Accies.
He said: “The new lads gelled well and we showed a good ability when we were attacking Aberdeen, although we know we can finish off more of the chances we create.
“The latest signings offer something new to the team. They have all settled in well. Three started against Aberdeen and Jason Cummings came on. They are going to have a big impact on the team in the second half of the season. We all have to step up our game.
“We have a big squad now and there are also a lot of guys to come back from injuries. It’s going to step up the standards with people trying to keep their place in the team. It will drive us on to be even better.”