Tavernier says Clement’s wish for ‘perfection’ is the principal reason for Rangers’ revival

James Tavernier revealed the increased intensity under Philippe Clement has helped Rangers heap pressure on Premiership leaders Celtic.

The Belgian boss has rejuvenated the Govan club since taking over from Michael Beale last October and has already won the Viaplay Cup.

The hard-fought 2-1 home win over Aberdeen on Tuesday allowed Rangers to draw level on points with Celtic ahead of the park head club’ s visit to hibs last night. The Ibrox skipper is pleased with their progress.

"The manager has put us in a really good place," said Tavernier. "The intensity behind the scenes on the training ground is really picking up and you can see that with the performances that we're putting in week-in, week-out.

"We're growing as a team and there are still areas that we can improve on, which is a good thing. But we are growing. Tuesday night was a matter of getting three points no matter how we did it and we move on to the next one now.

"The gaffer has brought in a real mentality, that he wants perfection no matter what, if it's in the training ground or on the pitch and we're delivering that and we're coming closer as a team with his ideas, and going from strength to strength."

Tavernier noted the elation at the end of the win over Aberdeen, a game in which Rangers finished with ten men after substitute Dujon Sterling was sent off in the 88th minute before eight fraught minutes of added time.

"I think the fans see the effort and the performances that we're putting in," Tavernier said. "It always goes hand in hand. If we want the fans to be on our side and really getting right behind us we've obviously got to put the performance in and I felt we really put in a good performance.

"We had the right players at the right time for the goals. I thought we dominated well with the possession of the ball. Obviously we lose a goal which we know we can do better on, but other than that we gave them hardly any chances.

"But I felt we managed the game towards the end as well going down to 10 men, and we've seen the game out well."