Tavernier hopes Havertz lingers longer despite threat he poses

RANGERS fans have anxiously checked transfer news on Kai Havertz, in the hope that he is nearer London than Leverkusen when the Europa League action resumes on Thursday.

Chelsea’s hot pursuit of a Havertz deal raised questions over his participation in the second leg of the tie.

However, Ibrox skipper James Tavernier is spoiling for a battle with one of Bundesliga’s best once again and is pleased that it appears the brilliant young talisman will be lining up against Rangers this week.

Tavernier has no fears over facing the 21-year-old because the Ibrox side have relished challenges against so many high-class European opponents over the past two seasons.

Porto, Feyenoord and Villarreal are three pedigree clubs that have failed to get the better of Rangers in Steven Gerrard’s reign, while Braga were beaten home and away in the previous knockout round of this Europa League.

The Rangers captain said: ‘Kai Havertz is a very young, very gifted footballer. He’s shown the rest of the world his qualities and ability at a young age and caught the interest of big name clubs.

‘But you always want to play against the best players, so you don’t want to see them leave when you come across them.

‘I hope he stays and, if we can play against him, then it’s one of those nights you know you’re up against the best — and you stand up to it.

‘Leverkusen are up there with the best teams we’ve faced in Europe. They’ve got some great young talent and a great squad.

‘But we’ve played a lot of top teams during our campaigns in the last two seasons. It’s an incredible journey we’ve been on from last season into this season with the teams we’ve overcome.

‘That gives us great belief and confidence that we can come across these giants in European football and go toe to toe with them.

‘We’ve had some great nights in Europe and I believe we can deliver the game plan needed to try and bring the tie back.

‘It will be a case of who wants it more on the night. I know our players are so hungry to get the right result.’

Havertz (right) netted the VARawarded penalty which sent the Germans on the way to a 3-1 win in Glasgow back on March 12.

That gift to the visitors, from a George Edmundson handball, was just one source of agony for Tavernier on the night.

For he admits he soldiered through pain to last 85 minutes against a top-notch side before giving way to Matt Polster.

The full-back had been hurt the previous midweek against Hamilton, then aggravated a foot problem in training.

‘I tried to go as long as I could in the first leg but my foot swelled up,’ revealed Tavernier. ‘I’m rarely injured. So when I do get injured it’s a nightmare.

‘Then after the first leg we went into a crazy time and you think of the safety of everyone first and foremost. But I’m delighted we have the opportunity to finish off and that’s the important thing.

‘German football was the first league to kick off and play again but I watched the games so, obviously, had the chance to watch Bayer Leverkusen.

‘They’ve got a hugely talented squad but we’ve added to our squad and had great time to prepare during pre-season and in the off-season to focus on ourselves and our fitness.

‘It will be a tough test but we’re all raring to go. We’ve been waiting a long time for football to come back.

‘It’s going to take a very good performance to progress. We’re on the back foot but we’ve always done well in European football, we had a great pre-season and good tests against Lyon and Nice.’

While Bayer have been distracted by the Havertz issue, speculation over Alfredo Morelos has dogged Rangers yet again. Morelos was the Europa League hero in the first half of the season, his 14-goal haul in qualifying and group games setting a UEFA record for tournament play before Christmas.

That’s why, no matter what transpires in the transfer market, Tavernier hopes the Colombian is still a Rangers player and available for the trip to Germany. ‘We need to keep a clean sheet and create chances to give the midfielders and attackers the chance to score goals from the first whistle,’ he said. ‘Hopefully we can create a lot of chances.’