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Gerrard eager to build his team around Tavernier
sTEVEN gERRARD last night insisted he wants James Tavernier to stay at Ibrox throughout his managerial tenure as he hailed the captain’s display against Maribor.
Tavernier netted a crucial second-half penalty, bracketed by goals from Alfredo Morelos and Lassana Coulibaly, as Rangers assembled a 3-1 first-leg lead in the Europa League third-qualifying round.
The right-back also contributed vital defensive blocks to shine just 24 hours after West Bromwich Albion failed with a £2million offer for his services.
He remains a key player for gerrard, while Josh Windass yesterday completed a £2.5m move to Wigan and Declan John was sold to swansea for £800,000.
gerrard made it clear Tavernier had not been affected by any speculation about his future and backed the Englishman to get even better at Ibrox.
‘James knows what I think of him,’ said gerrard. ‘It was a big decision to make him captain of this football club.
‘I speak to him every day. It is up to
James whether he tells you what has been said between us over the past few days but he has had my full backing and full support. ‘I want James Tavernier here as long as I am here. ‘He was magnificent tonight. Look, good players get attention from other clubs. I don’t appreciate that attention 24 hours before a big game. I’d like a phone call off of big Darren (Moore, West Brom manager) at some point.
‘But listen, I’ve been in the game a long time and good players attract attention and things like that happen and, to be fair, James handled it very well and that was probably his strongest performance so far.
‘I only knew him from the outside when I walked in. I’m a big fan. He’s got ability, he’s got power — there is more to come from James. I think he still has gears to go into.
‘For me, he can play in the (English) Premier League, no problem.
‘But I noticed when I walked in that he is a leader and a very likeable guy in the dressing room. People respect him.
‘He has been through a lot of turbulence in his time at the club but handled it very well. That’s the reason I gave him the armband.’
Mitja Viler cancelled out the Morelos opener before the break as Maribor finished the first half strongly.
However, Rangers produced an superb display in the second period to boost their chances of reaching the play-off round after next Thursday’s