Final spot will be a great start to the new era
James Tavernier will lead Rangers into today’s Premier Sports Cup semi- final
on a mission to kick the Giovanni van Bronckhorst era off on a winning note.
While last season’s title triumph helped prompt Aston Villa’s move for Steven Gerrard, the fact that he left with a domestic record of one trophy out of nine points to an unusually- barren run in the knock-out competitions.
That is acknowledged by Tavernier who, as the Light Blues’ captain throughout the period, felt the respective failures sharply.
“We know that domestically in the cups we have not been there,” he said as he looked ahead to the Hampden clash with Hibs.
“We want to build on what we achieved last season, winning the league. We want to take it into this season and have a real good go at it. We obviously want to get to the final.
“Rangers are built off winning trophies and that’s what all the boys know. We are fully- focused on the job in hand tomorrow.
“We know it will be a tough game, but we know what we need to do. It is about winning trophies at this club.
“The first day I signed here it was one of the first things I saw. I saw the trophy cabinet and how much Rangers have won over the years. We want to carry that on.”
Taver nier agreed too that van Bronckhorst’s arrival at Ibrox means every player has to look to make a good impression with Nathan Patterson, hero of Scotland’s World Cup run, his own rival for the jersey.
“We know there is competition all over the pitch and the new gaffer will be seeing that,” said the skipper.
“The lads who maybe haven’t had a chance, it’s a fresh page for everyone now.
“Nathan didn’t get too much gametime before the international break but then he puts in that performance for Scotland ( against Moldova), scoring a goal and getting an assist.
“He is p u s h i n g me and he is developing really well. We are pushing each other.”