Everybody loves a statistic and every Rangers fan loves the magical three words that James Tavernier has used to good effect over the last eight years.
With another two penalties on Sunday against St Johnstone, the Gers skipper has taken his goal tally to 120 for the club to add to his 127 assists.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement is lucky to have James Tavernier and his reputation as one of the world’s best goalscoring defenders is growing by the week.
Rangers have record breaker in waiting in James Tavernier
At 32-years old, the captain has no right to be posting 19 goals and 10 assists already this season.
Most wingers and strikers would love to his these numbers.
There will always be a debate about his time at Ibrox that will only be silenced with more silverware but, in terms of individual contribution, few have given more.
With his second penalty at the weekend, James Tavernier moved level with the greatest Rangers player ever when he matched John Greig’s goal scoring record.
For perspective, he is now just two goals behind Kris Boyd and four behind Alfredo Morelos.
In terms of the world stage, Tavernier is closing the gap on those above him with the British record now well and truly in his sights.
Graham Alexander, a formidable penalty taker in his day, retired with 130 goals to his name and sits in sixth place on the all-time list for defenders.
Realistically, Sergio Ramos on 135 goals should be looking over his shoulder but would you really be surprised if Tavernier caught Laurent Blanc’s 153 in fourth?
There was a ridiculous statistic doing the rounds on social media in mid-week about Rangers scoring their 1000th goal since Tavernier signed from Wigan with the right-back contributing to a quarter of them.
James Tavernier will be impossible to replace when he does eventually leave Rangers but, hopefully, this season, he can right a few wrongs in terms of trophies and cement his place as one of the finest to ever pull on the famous Light Blue jersey.
