Rangers star James Tavernier has earned comparisons to £53m Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker as Tav is tipped for the Gers’ Hall of Fame.
Ibrox star Tav, 29, has been on incredible form this season, his 16 goals and 12 assists in 26 games so far this year remarkable statistics for a right-back with the player at the top of his game.
It has the ex-Newcastle United man as the frontrunner for all the individual awards this season but former Gers full-back Michael Ball believes international recognition could also come.
Speaking with Rangers unbeaten in 26 games and going well domestically and in Europe, ex-England international Ball has sung the praises of the club’s captain fantastic and suggested he has an outside chance of an England call-up.
“There are people in England who know football and what Tav is doing,” said Ball [Daily Record], who joined Rangers in a £6.5m deal from Everton in 2001 [Telegraph].
“There’s no question he could do it down here.
“If you look at Walker they’re very similar – he’s got that speed to get forward and the ability as well.
“But he might never get that opportunity.
“And he’s Rangers captain, so you don’t want to be going anywhere.
“He’s now the heartbeat of that club so should want to stay there and be successful.
“As an English player in Scotland, you need to do SO much just to get recognised down here. I know that from experience.
“I got one England cap before joining Rangers. Then I was injured at Ibrox and out for two years so drifted out of the England mindset.
“When I got back fit it was in my thoughts to get back in to the national set-up. But when Ashley Cole popped up, it was always going to be difficult.
“Managers look at a lot of detail now and if Stevie made a call to Gareth about Tav, he’d be daft not to listen and have a look.
“But England have so much strength at right-back now with Alexander-Arnold, James, Trippier – there are five or six who are top quality and worth a lot of money.”
Ball – who was in the England set-up prior to his Rangers move and who suffered a torrid time with injuries at Ibrox – also claims Tav is well on his way to being added to the Rangers Hall of Fame.
Praising the Ibrox right-back for his bouncebackability after several high-profile set-backs, Ball believes a title secures the player’s legendary status.
“Rangers are on the way back now and he has been there for the journey,” said Ball.
“If Tav can go on to lift trophies as captain this season, it would secure his legendary status.
“When you consider the amount of setbacks he’s had – not many players survive and go on to be successful.
“It’s not done and dusted yet but it’s getting close now. Rangers’ rise back to the top of Scottish football is almost there and Tav has been pivotal.
“If it turns out rosy at the end of the season, Tav will have to be taken seriously when it comes to the club’s Hall of Fame.
“He’s been there for all the downs and stuck it out.
“Of course, loyalty works both ways and the club have shown faith in him.
“But he has wanted to stay and to get rewarded for that is the best thing. It would be a fantastic achievement.”
With James Tavernier firing on all cylinders this season, here’s how Rangers boss Steven Gerrard reacted to questions concerning a new contract for the full-back.