Europa League draw Celtic and Rangers land giants in group stage

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THE trophies that are handed out at this stage of the season are satisfying to receive but not the ones that you really want. James Tavernier knows that as well as anyone.

The Rangers captain picked up the player of the month prize for September on Friday and, while it is a deserved recognition, it will ultimately mean little come the end of the campaign when the proper gongs are distributed to worthy winners.

Tavernier only has medals from the Championship and

Petrofac Training Cup to show for his efforts at Ibrox. But he is as determined as anyone, and as determined as ever, to rectify that this season as Steven Gerrard continues to stress the importance of silverware.

“We will always get judged in May and that’s the main focus for myself and the team and the club,” Tavernier said.

“We’ve had a good start to the season but we’re coming up to the quarter mark now and we know we can still improve, we can still get better and that’s our aim.

“Going into Sunday we are looking to put in a performance like we did against Galatasaray, we need to replicate those sort of nights into our domestic football and just try to make ourselves better in general. That’s our main focus for when we get judged in May.”

There were stages last season, and not for the first time, where Tavernier came under real pressure from fans as his place in the team and his suitability to wear the armband were questioned.

The 28- year- old has endured his fair share of low points at Ibrox but the backing of Gerrard and his own self- belief has never waned.

“I’ve always been mentally tough, even when I first came,” he said. “That’s just my character, even growing up from when I was young. I always enjoy a challenge, I never hide away from it. If there is criticism or you’re getting applause if you’re doing well it’s just something you have to take it on board and always try to improve yourself as a person and as a player.

“That’s something I want to do in life, always make myself better. There is obviously still room for improvement in all aspects within myself and I look forward to working on that.”

Those gains that Tavernier has made may have been marginal in recent months, but the cumulative effect has been significant as his work technically, tactically, physically and mentally has paid off.

His header against Galatasaray on Thursday night was his seventh goal in as many games and his importance to Gerrard’s side cannot be underestimated at present.

“I’m delighted to receive the award,” Tavernier said. “I’m always grateful to receive an award like this. First of all I have to say it’s down to the team and the management. They are the players I play with week in, week out that give us the platform to do what I do on the weekend.

“The team has improved this season, we’ve got a great group of boys and we have improved on the quality of players in the

We will always get judged in May and that’s the main focus

team. It’s helping my style of football come to light. I’m really enjoying my football at the minute and taking everything in my stride.”

The priority for Rangers this term simply has to be domestic success but there will be another welcome distraction for Gerrard and his players in the coming weeks.

Benfica, Standard Liege and Lech Poznan lie in wait in the Europa League after a famous win over Galatasaray. Having improved year- on- year in the first two terms under Gerrard, the ambition on the continent is clear.

Tavernier said: “The gaffer highlighted that, with this pandemic, the financial reasons for going through.

“With no fans coming through the door, it helps the club massively to qualify for the groups.

“It’s a great achievement for the boys and the management team that we’ve made it. I’m delighted with the draw. You see Benfica in there, a massive team with a great stadium.

“It’s going to be a big test against all the teams we play. There will be different styles and I am looking forward to it.

“I can’t wait for the first game to kick off. But domestically is most important and we have to concentrate on that.

“Come May, we want to be in that position. The gaffer said that’s when we’ll be judged in the right way.

“Our European football has been good over the last two seasons. We’ve got to take that into the league and really push on.

“I’m really pleased with the start of the season and how we have applied ourselves.

“We still have work to do and we are going to keep working hard.”