James Tavernier’s Rangers career has been blighted by downs in recent years. Therefore, It’s time he started leaving a legacy at Ibrox.
The Rangers captain sealed a new contract during the week for a further four years. It ties him to Rangers until the Summer of 2022.
It’s easy to see why Rangers supporters and Steven Gerrard value him so highly. Tavernier is a sensational player on his day, who’s a terrific attacking threat and carries the best crossing of a ball in the league. His defending can be suspect at times, but he’s been a consistently good player at Rangers for years.
He’s also experienced it all in a Rangers jersey. The euphoria of storming to the Championship under Mark Warburton on one side, and the deflation of finishing third on two occasions in the Premiership. He’s done it all and then some.
The Englishman has consistently been praised for his commitment to the club. Many faces have came and went since Tav arrived in Glasgow. This is one of the main reasons he finds himself as Gerrard’s Rangers captain. But he’s also shown incredible resilience to stick at it at Ibrox.
But it’s time Tavernier stopped settling for pats on the head and instead started getting medals around his neck instead.
You have to feel sorry for him to an extent. He’s been the right guy at the wrong time for Rangers in recent years. Consistently failed tenures have blighted what deserves to be a hugely successful Rangers career for Tavernier.
A new dawn for Tav and Rangers
Everyone must now be praying those dark days are about to end. Gerrard’s arrival and subsequent improvement of the team makes this a promising and defining time in Tav’s Rangers era.
As harsh as it sounds, the right-back needs this to work for him to be remembered for anything other than a decent servant.
All of the Rangers greats have, in the past, been part of championship winning sides. They’ve left a array of silverware in their paths which have defined them as successes. At the moment, the only thing that defines Tavernier is his commitment to the club. To put it into perspective, Lee Wallace could be given the same praise in that regard.
Toppling Celtic before he leaves the club (which isn’t in the near future), has to be the ultimate goal. Getting a period of dominance over them would be even better. It’s important Tavernier experiences this in order for him to be remembered as a club great, and not a nearly-man.
As it stands, everyone remains delighted with his work-rate and commitment to Rangers. He’s been far and away Warburton’s greatest signing.
Now, it’s about time he started leaving a legacy he can look back on with immense pride and some winners’ medals.
