BULLDOG SPIRIT
Canine friends keep Tavernier busy as he aims to cut Celtic gap
YOU could call it a barking idea. Quite literally. For James Tavernier, it is not an insult to suggest it can be a dog’s life once he finishes work at the club’s training ground.
The question of how to best to deploy their downtime is one that tends to gnaw at footballers. Tavernier’s answer was to turn his love of canine companions into a business he hopes can continue providing enjoyment when his current career is over.
The Rangers right-back, who this week signed a new contract at Ibrox until 2021, joined forces with childhood friend Jake Chapman to launch Designer Bullies UK a couple of months ago. Their venture aims to breed and sell prized American Bully XL pups, which can often come with a four-figure price tag.
It provides Tavernier with a different outlet for his energies when not being let off the leash on the pitch. Settled in Glasgow since his arrival from Wigan in 2015, the 26-year-old’s family home has now become a busier place.
‘This is something that I have started with a friend who I have known since I was three,’ smiled Tavernier.
‘We decided to start a business about these dogs and it is going really well at the minute. I’m enjoying it and enjoying the dogs. Myself and my missus always wanted a family dog but it had to be the right place, not an apartment, and we are in a house now.
‘None of my team-mates have bought one yet. But I know Josh (Windass) is looking for a dog, so I might try and persuade him!
‘These American bulldogs only came into the UK in 2012, so they are quite new to people. They are a great family dog and have been great with my kids.
‘I have always been into dogs. My first one when I was a kid was a bit of mongrel, a bit of mixed breed. There were two, actually — Rio and David. Rio after Rio Ferdinand and David after Edgar Davids. They would chew up the house and my mum wasn’t best happy about it.’
The old notion of bulldog spirit is something any team would want to harness — particularly as Rangers work to try and make a genuine challenge to Celtic in the years ahead. But does dealing with the animals provide Tavernier with a release from the pressures of life at Ibrox?
‘It can add a little more stress when I’m talking to my mate about it,’ he laughed. ‘No, it’s something where you have thoughts about what might happen after football.
‘The lads always try and come up with different opportunities to start up little businesses. I’ve gone this way and hopefully it can take off and be something after football that I can concentrate on.
‘We talk about which dogs we are going to buy next and the figures that pop up. You have think about how much you have to spend and so on. It runs like any other business.
‘It’s actually enjoyable, though, because you have these family dogs around the place. At the moment, I think we have six in total. Two are with me, three are down with my friend and another with someone else. How much do they cost? It’s on the website!’
For now, Tavernier will bank substantially more from his main job. As well as extending his Rangers deal by two years, the terms were improved to reward the excellent form seen this season.
The player spoke of striving to compete for the Treble and playing in the Champions League when he put pen to paper. Ambitious words, but Tavernier feels the work being done by director of football Mark Allen
and manager Graeme Murty is shifting the Ibrox club closer to threatening Celtic’s supremacy in the relatively near future.
‘There are a few areas where we need to tidy up but I believe we’re closing the gap,’ said the defender, with Rangers 11 points adrift of Celtic ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Hamilton.
‘We’ve dropped too many points at home, so if we can address that then we won’t be far off mounting a sustained challenge.
‘There’s no reason why that can’t happen sooner rather than later. It’s down to the players to ensure we improve again for next season.
‘I am quite sure the gaffer will add more quality in the summer. If we can do well in the Scottish Cup, then that will also breed confidence for next season.
‘We want to win a trophy this season and the Scottish Cup is our best chance.
‘The gaffer is laying down some pretty strong foundations and our squad is getting better and better.
‘I believe we’re at the stage where we can really compete. We did that against Celtic the last time we played them and we probably should have won the game.
‘We have shown good form against Aberdeen, it’s the other games where we have to show more consistency.
‘We have beaten Aberdeen three times this season but we are still below them in the league. That is where we have let ourselves down, so we know where we need to improve.
‘For me personally, it was great to get the deal over the line. Never at any stage did I think about leaving this club.
‘My kids are all settled in nursery and my missus is really comfortable up here. If you are happy off the pitch, then it will impact on it.’