Rangers legend Barry Ferguson admits he is ‘concerned’ by suggestions that Steven Gerrard could lure Ibrox captain James Tavernier to Saudi Arabia.
It might not be enough to escape those ‘retirement league’ accusations, but the sight of Jota (24) following Ruben Neves (26) to Saudi Arabia is proof that even players in their prime can find the sort of head-spinning money on offer in the Middle East impossible to reject; Jota walking into negotiations with like Al-Ittihad feeling like Walter White when he first encountered that storage unit full of dollar bills.
New Al-Ettifaq coach Steven Gerrard could come calling for a couple of familiar faces too. Alongside Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho, the man who captained his Rangers side who Premiership glory in 2021 has reportedly been lined up too (90Min).
With Celtic in transition post-Ange Postecoglou – and with Rangers making a splash in the market with six highly-impressive additions – it remains to be seen if the prospect of taking Mick Beale’s side back to the top of the domestic tree is enough to keep Tavernier’s mind free of the sort of eye-watering pay rise he would likely receive in the Saudi Pro League.
Rangers captain James Tavernier faces Saudi Arabia decision
“I’m a little bit concerned,” Ferguson tells the Daily Record.
“From a purely professional point of view, I can’t blame any manager or player who ends up taking the oil money. The numbers we’re talking about are frightening. It’s a bottomless pit of cash. And offers are being made which are completely life changing for the guys involved.
“It’s a one-off chance to set your entire family up for the rest of their lives. The kind of sums that are being thrown around would be very difficult for any professional person to turn down.”
With his 32nd birthday approaching, that Saudi interest has the makings of what Ferguson calls a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’. At least, if Tavernier does go, Rangers already have a replacement waiting in the wings; Dujon Sterling snapped up on a free from Chelsea.
“For purely selfish reasons, I hope Tavernier isn’t put in the position of having to make that choice. I’d prefer it if Gerrard stays well away from him. He’s such an important figure in that Rangers side, and he still has a massive part to play,” Ferguson adds.
“I’d love nothing more than to see him captain the club through a period of success. I was lucky enough to experience what that feels like for myself. And, trust me, money can’t buy memories like that.
“But, on the other side of the coin, I couldn’t criticise him if his head was turned by a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I just hope it doesn’t come to that.
“This certainly feels like an exciting time to be a Rangers player.”
The Daily Record say that, as of Tuesday, there had been no contact between Al-Ettifaq and Tavernier. That could soon change, of course.
