British bulldog Tav’s out to prove he’s pedigree and drive Rangers to Winalot
involved. It’s something I’m doing with an eye on a career after football.
“The lads always try to come up with different opportunities to start up little businesses. I’ve gone this way, hopefully it can take off and be something to concentrate on after I hang up my boots.
“It’s good to have an interest off the field but I’m fully focused on my career at Rangers.
“It was fantastic to get my new deal over the line and things moved pretty quickly. I spoke with the gaffer, listened to what he had to say and his hopes moving forward so it was a no-brainer.
“I just need to get my head down now and keep working hard. Never at any stage did I think about leaving. I had 18 months left on my contract and I have always been fully committed to Rangers.
“I feel my game has come on a lot and I’m still learning. Not once did my mind switch to going elsewhere.”
Tavernier was part of the Rangers team that won the Championship and Challenge Cup under Mark Warburton. But major honours have proved elusive for the Light Blues on the road to financial recovery.
He has already stated his ambition to win the Scottish Cup this season and enjoy more success over Celtic, with just one win against them under his belt.
He added: “We’ve made really good progress. Mark brought me and a few others to the club and there’s no doubt the gaffer has now added more quality.
“He’s laying down some pretty strong foundations and our squad is getting better and better. We’re at the stage we can really compete.
“We did that against Celtic the last time and we probably should have won the game. We’ve shown good form against Aberdeen, it’s the other games where we have to show more consistency.
“We have beaten Aberdeen three times this season but are still below them in the league.
“We’ve let ourselves down in other games so we know where we need to improve. The gaffer has added new guys determined to take the club to the next level so we all have the right mindset.
“It comes down to us being competitive with Celtic. There are a few areas where we still need to tidy up but we’re closing the gap.
“We’ve dropped too many points at home so if we can address that we won’t be far off mounting a sustained challenge.
“There’s no reason why that can’t happen sooner rather than later.
“If we can do well in the Scottish Cup that will also breed confidence for next season. We want to win a trophy this season and the Scottish Cup is our best chance.”
Tavernier is set to keep the captain’s armband for the trip to Accies with Jason Holt suspended and he says it was an honour to lead the club for the first time against Ayr last weekend.
He added: “Even as a kid I always had thoughts of captaining a side. When the gaffer gave me the armband I was absolutely over the moon. I couldn’t wait to tell my mum and my close friends. They were all really proud of me.”