Rangers captain James Tavernier will be celebrating with more than just a burger if the Ibrox side go on to lift a legendary treble this season.
We’ve heard all sorts from the usual suspects as they try and coorie under comfort blankets during Rangers’ monumental upswing under Philippe Clement.
We know that if the Gers are to be successful, the same boring voices amongst Scotland’s chattering classes will desperately try to find something to help soothe their blistering pain.
But as Rangers skipper James Tavernier – very much an on-pitch symbol of this modern, attacking Ibrox side – is torn down in the press, the Gers captain need not worry a jot.
If there are any doubts that the Ibrox Hall of Famer is a bonafide Rangers legend, a Premiership trophy win, let alone a treble, will extinguish them come the summer.
Ibrox captain winds up usual suspects
You might’ve seen columnist Gordon Parks lambast James Tavernier – a man with an athletic prowess even at 32-years-old which the ex-striker could only dream of at 25 – for having the audacity to go for a Five Guys over the weekend.
This, according to Parks, was not becoming of the Rangers captains of old in a bizarre and personal blast on the suitability of the Yorkshireman to wear the armband.
It’s all about perspective, and whilst we’re sure we’d be hearing about a Celtic alternative being ‘down to Earth’ for doing the same, it’s something which isn’t worth taking seriously.
But it only stands to highlight that Rangers are certainly doing the right things when voices in the Scottish media get desperate and take to personal attacks.
When the Ibrox side can’t be beaten on the field, all we hear about is daftness off it and far from wind anyone up, the comments should be raising wry smiles in Rangers households up and down the country.
They’re hurting – and under Philippe Clement it looks like it’s only going to get worse.
James Tavernier can silence Rangers doubters
As for James Tavernier, the Rangers skipper’s story is an incredible one and his contribution has been immense.
Joining the club in 2015 under Mark Warburton, not only has Tavernier been to the bottom with Rangers but he’s also experienced some of the club’s greatest moments.
Part of the journey back to the Premiership, a title-winner, a European finalist and a double-medal holder in the domestic cup competitions, the Rangers skipper has been central to our progression back to where we belong.
Whilst the last few years have saw us regress, James Tavernier’s immense contribution to Rangers has never wavered and like a fine wine he just gets better with age.
Now on 120 goals for the club, the right-back is one of the highest scoring defenders of all time and when you add in the 127 assists, Tav’s contribution across 443 games is already legendary.
That’s not to say that if the Rangers skipper can tie the ribbons on a second Scottish Premiership title win – and potentially take a treble home with it – it’ll silence his detractors outside of Ibrox.
We’re sure they’ll always find something to moan about.
But more importantly, it might finally silence those from inside the club with some Rangers fans only set to realise what they had in the marauding skipper when he‘s gone.
