HE’S BLUE LIGHTNING!
‘Unfinished business’ the driving force for Tavernier
ELECTRIFYING performances in highprofile matches have become a hallmark of James Tavernier’s recent form. Outstanding in the goalless draw against Celtic prior to the winter break, the Rangers right-back re-emerged with similar intent in Wednesday night’s defeat of Aberdeen.
Tavernier’s cross to create the breakthrough goal for Alfredo Morelos was a model of perfection.
Something similar could be said of the weight of pass that released Josh Windass in between Anthony O’Connor and Joe Lewis to win the clinching second-half penalty. Despite a delay of several minutes as the unfortunate Lewis was stretchered off, Tavernier remained calm to send replacement Danny Rogers the wrong way from the spot.
Contributions like those tend to get noticed. Already this window, English Championship sides Sunderland and Reading have been linked with potential offers for the 26-year-old.
Further interest in his services could arise before next Wednesday’s deadline, but Tavernier insists he has ‘unfinished business’ to attend to at Ibrox.
His arrival from Wigan in the summer of 2015 was based on a desire to win silverware and compete with Celtic at the sharp end of the Scottish game. Two-and-a-half years on, he still wants to place a tick against those objectives before thinking of returning south.
‘I don’t like to get into speculation,’ he said, when asked about being linked with a move away. ‘I’m fully committed to Rangers. I’m still learning here and I’m still growing here. I’m still under contract for another 18 months so I’m really happy 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 (in the 2016 Scottish Cup semi-final). I want to win some more of them. I still have unfinished business as a Rangers player.’
Financial realities may intervene at some point. Tavernier’s contract will have a year left on it this summer unless an extension can be agreed. ‘That’s down to the club,’ he added. ‘As I say, I’ve still got 18 months to go. It’s totally down to the club if they want to extend my contract. I’ll have to wait and see.’ Certainly, his value to Rangers would demand a salary hike. While doubts about his defensive alertness can still surface, Tavernier’s effectiveness going forward is beyond dispute. He delivers a tangible end product. His partnership with Daniel Candeias on the right flank is of immense importance to Graeme Murty. Bolstered by a batch of January additions, the Rangers manager claimed success over Aberdeen could mark the start of a ‘very satisfying journey’ for his squad. Tavernier is in little doubt about the intended destination. ‘We have to bring silverware to the club,’ he insisted, with Rangers yet to begin their Scottish Cup campaign. ‘The new additions have brought more quality to the team so I believe silverware is a minimum requirement for this club. ‘We are going in the right direction. We have shown it in the big games but now we have to show it in every single game, the levels of performance we can put in.’ The key for Rangers will be finding the ingredient previously absent from their season — consistency. Too often, a positive result has been followed by an unexpected lapse. Tavernier hopes a new ruthlessness will accompany the new faces. Greg Docherty last night completed his £680,000 move from Hamilton and could make his debut in Sunday’s Premiership trip to Ross County. Sean Goss, Jamie Murphy, Russell Martin and Jason Cummings were all given their first tastes of competitive action against Aberdeen. ‘Second place is the minimum we should be aiming for,’ argued Tavernier. ‘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.
‘The new lads gelled in well and we showed a good ability when we were attacking, although we know we can finish off more of the chances we create.
‘The players who have joined us offer something new to the team. They have all settled in really well. Three started against Aberdeen and Jason came on. They are going to have a big impact in the second half of the season. We all have to step up our game.
‘We have a big squad now and there are a lot of guys to come back from injuries. It’s going to step up the standards with people trying to keep their places in the team. It will drive us to be better.
‘We are going in the right direction. We just have to continue it.’
Tavernier will also hope to continue with his accuracy from the spot, having supplanted Morelos as penalty taker. He admitted his thoughts were with Lewis as he waited to strike on Wednesday night. The Aberdeen goalkeeper was taken to hospital, but his club later confirmed he had not suffered a broken leg as initially feared.
‘It took my mind off it, seeing Joe Lewis on the floor,’ said Tavernier. ‘He was obviously really badly hurt. I don’t really know him that well, but I’ve spoken to him a few times after games.
‘It’s not nice seeing a fellow professional get injured like that.
‘But 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 didn’t start. I scored it and I’ve been on them ever since. I’ve always been confident in my ability to score penalties, so hopefully that continues.’