NEWCASTLE LINK FLATTERING BUT STAR RETAINS HIS FOCUS

he said of Newcastle’s interest. ‘But all my emphasis is on Rangers. Things can happen in football, of course, but I’m looking forward to this season. It’s all speculation. If it stays like that then I don’t get upset about it. I’m focused on the job here.’ Tavernier endured a frustrating time as a youngster at St James’ Park and was forced to go out on loan at Gateshead, Carlisle, Sheffield Wednesday, Shrewsbury and Rotherham before moving to Wigan in 2014. Asked if he had an inclination to go back to Newcastle and prove they were wrong not to trust him more often, he replied: ‘Not necessarily. I love my football here, my family is settled and I’m in a great place at the moment. Whatever happens, happens. I’m just focusing on Rangers.’ Were Newcastle to press ahead with their interest, Rangers could make an enormous return on a player they paid a nominal fee for four years ago. Insisting talk of a multi-million price tag didn’t faze him, Tavernier said: ‘I have always believed in my quality, even when I was younger. With the clubs I was at, Newcastle and Wigan, it didn’t work out for me. Rangers gave me a chance. The club have shown faith in me. I have been trying to repay that favour ever since which means working harder, getting better and better.’

JAMES TAVERNIER admits he is flattered to be attracting interest from first club Newcastle — but that lifting his first trophy with Rangers is the only thing on his mind. As Sportsmail revealed last Saturday, new Magpies boss Steve Bruce is keen to offer the Ibrox skipper a return to the club where he cut his teeth in the game. Tavernier, 27, is contracted to Rangers until 2022 and would command a sizeable transfer fee were he to move on at this juncture. That hasn’t dissuaded Bruce from prioritising the capture of the right-back, though, as he seeks to build a side capable of improving on their 13th-placed finish of last season. But Tavernier, who only managed two games for Newcastle over five years, is adamant that the ongoing speculation won’t detract from his focus as he seeks to become the first Ibrox skipper in nine seasons to hoist a major trophy. ‘It’s a compliment. I see it,’