Tavernier turned out to be true-blue captain marvel, says old pal Clark
JAMES TAVERNIER was confronted by many a personal slur in less successful times at Rangers. Dubbed a serial loser by Celtic-minded detractors, many of his own support could not countenance his captaincy credentials.
His association with crushing occasions such as two humiliating, heavy late-season defeats to Celtic only four years ago was hard to shake off.
So, too, were his poor programme notes just two seasons back when admitting to his team’s frailties.
Tavernier has dug deep to recover from those chastening experiences. He’s grown into an undefeated titlewinning captain and true leader of a Europa League finalist.
Those achievements are something one of his Dundee United opponents at Ibrox is sure to make a point of acknowledging this afternoon.
Nicky Clark says Tavernier remains the same likeable bloke and top professional who he first saw walk through the Ibrox door in 2015.
The Yorkshireman had played for nine different English clubs, most of them on loan from Newcastle, before Mark Warburton brought him to Glasgow for £200,000.
He found a home for his buccaneering talents on the Rangers right flank but it’s been a rocky journey.
That, says pal Clark, makes the 30-year-old’s story all the more sensational as Tavernier prepares to lead Rangers out in a European final in Seville in 10 days’ time.
Clark said: ‘Tav has obviously had a bit of stick at times but you expect that at a club like Rangers.
‘It’s difficult because the pressure is immense on you week in, week out. But he has thrived on it and has never backed away from it.
‘He has confronted it and you can see where he is now. Tav has been brilliant. His numbers, domestically and in Europe, are frightening for the position that he plays.
‘Apart from that, he is just a really nice guy. From the minute he came in at Rangers, he was brilliant.
‘I still speak to him now and again but more so when we are playing against them.
‘He’s the same person as he was when he first came in and full credit to him for that, with the responsibility he has as captain at one of the biggest football clubs in the world. He has not changed one bit, which is good to see.
‘A few came in like Martyn Waghorn and Rob Kiernan and I think they knew one another from down south, which kind of helped them.
‘They settled right in and, obviously, Tav is the only one who is still there. He has kicked right on and I think he is just going to get better and better.’
Clark, signed by Ally McCoist, played in League One and in the Championship for Rangers in three seasons.
Turning out at Glebe Park, Clark put in some of the hard miles on the road back for his boyhood club. But never did he doubt Rangers would return to compete for trophies at the top level of the game again.
Clark said: ‘It was brilliant and I will never forget those times. I’m looking forward to going back again but obviously I want to get three points for Dundee United.
‘The first couple of years it was weird as they sold out Ibrox every single week. The backing the fans gave the club was incredible.
‘So you had that and then you went to Brechin or East Fife and there would be scaffolding around the pitch so all the fans could get in. To get where Rangers are now is an incredible achievement.’
Clark is hoping to clinch fourth place and head off on a European adventure with United next season and the striker revealed how Tam Courts allayed fears over his suitability for the Tannadice managerial job on day one.
After stepping up from the youth academy to replace Micky Mellon, his appointment was greeted with scathing comment and, at best, scepticism.
But an instantly favourable impression in the dressing room ensured those concerns were never replicated among the players.
‘The manager has been great,’ added Clark. ‘It wouldn’t have been nice for him seeing all the things that were being said.
‘It must have been tough for him coming in, especially not having experience and background of being at a high level.
‘He was always comfortable with us. During his first meetings he sounded like he’d been in the job for years.
‘It wasn’t as if you were sitting back thinking he doesn’t know what he’s on about. He knew straight away what he wanted — and knew how to get it across really well. ‘Everyone bought in from the word go. I think you saw that with the way we started the season. He keeps pushing us. ‘Qualifying for Europe would be a great achievement.’