Tavernier is ready to seal legacy in the elite
THERE would be no better way for James Tavernier to celebrate his imminent new contract than by leading Rangers into the Champions League.
He’s hungry for this. That’s unmistakable. Right after last season’s Europa League final, Tavernier was already talking about getting back into continental competition and making more memories.
He knows how significant a place in the Champions League group stage would be for Rangers as a club — both financially and in terms of testing themselves against the very best.
As captain, the 30-year-old looks ready to embrace the challenge and inspire those around him. Let’s hope we see that against Union Saint-Gilloise this evening.
When in peak form, Tavernier is almost a force of nature. Look at the match against Livingston on Saturday. He did everything in his power to help the team recover from the dismal start inflicted by Joel Nouble’s lobbed goal.
Tavernier’s driving runs forward were a constant outlet for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team. And, of course, he produced the winning free-kick with typical accuracy.
Extending Tavernier’s deal until 2026 — as I’ve read will happen — is astute business. He deserves to be rewarded for the way he has grown into the captaincy and the incredible numbers he posts in terms of goals and assists.
He says he can’t imagine playing anywhere else. You only have to listen to him speak to realise how much he loves Rangers.
The feeling is mutual from the club’s fans. But it wasn’t always that way.
Attaining Champions League football would be another significant box ticked in a sevenyear Ibrox stay of plentiful twists and turns. I’ve said before that I really admire his mental strength and the sheer persistence he’s shown at Rangers.
If you go a few years back, people would poke fun at the fact he hadn’t won anything. Celtic fans loved to bring it up.
Some comments he made in a match programme didn’t help him with his own supporters. Back then, his mentality was scrutinised. People said he was good going forward but couldn’t really defend. Honestly, there was a lot placed on his shoulders.
To bounce back in the manner he did answered all the questions about him. Emphatically.
Now he has medals to show. He has won a league title — ending Celtic’s bid for ten-in-a-row — and has a Scottish Cup, too.
Going to the Europa League final was an agonising near miss but Tavernier ended as the top scorer in the competition. We’ve become used to his attacking prowess, but just think about that stat again.
A right-back from a Scottish club was the top scorer in a major European tournament. People will look back on it in years to come and be amazed.
Of course, he has to go and win more trophies domestically and keep adding to the CV he has constructed over the last couple of years. That’s a clear target.
But helping Rangers reach the Champions League would be another massive feat for a player who has an opportunity to leave a real legacy behind when his batteries finally run out.
For Tavernier, playing against the true elite of European football would be a dream come true. Maybe it was somewhere in his mind when he signed in 2015 but there must have been times when he doubted it could ever happen.
I think he would relish the step up from the Europa League. Like Alfredo Morelos, continental football tends to bring the best out of him. Rangers will certainly need Tavernier firing on all cylinders this evening.
The disappointment against Malmo 12 months ago shows what can happen if the team don’t click in time for these qualifiers.
This level of football can be unforgiving and there are clearly areas where Van Bronckhorst will want to see improvement from Saturday. There was too much defensive vulnerability, particularly in the first half, and not enough bite up front. The half-time introduction of Malik Tillman made a big difference.
It’s tough when these qualifiers — some of the most important games of the season — come so early but you have to deal with it.
I feel Rangers have what it takes this season but the trip to Belgium is a classic banana-skin.
Union Saint-Gilloise don’t have anything like the reputation of the teams Rangers met last term. Even in a Belgian opponent, we are not talking about Anderlecht or Club Brugge here. But they will feel they have nothing to lose. And the fact Rangers were Europa League finalists makes them an even bigger scalp to be hunted.
While respectful, Union coach Karel Geraerts will try to send all the pressure onto the Ibrox men. It’s a no-lose tie from the Belgians’ perspective.
I wouldn’t go as far as saying I was worried about it but Rangers will have to produce good performances. While they are clear favourites, I’d be surprised if this was going to be easy.
I do think Van Bronckhorst’s side will progress in the end. The only thing I’d point out is that, since Seville, they have lost a couple of immense players in Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey. The new signings who have come in have to prove themselves quickly.
These games provide a great platform for them to do so.
Some of them won’t have played at this level. And they also need to get used to the pressure and expectation that comes with Rangers. All those aspects must be dealt with as soon as possible.
It helps to have someone like Tavernier setting standards. He provides a role model for the newcomers — and is a reason for confidence as Van Bronckhorst’s side embark on another European adventure.