Ibrox legend isn’t a term that should be thrown around casually, but after Rangers secured the league title on Sunday, a current player is surely deserving of the title.
James Tavernier has had plenty of tough times since being signed by Mark Warburton from Wigan Athletic for £200k way back in 2015.
He’s played for several different managers, featured in humiliating defeats, made high-profile mistakes, been ridiculed by rival fans and faced stinging criticism from sections of the Rangers support.
Both his ability levels and character have regularly been questioned, not only by fans but also by a plethora of pundits.
Yet, remarkably, he’s come through it all.
Tavernier established himself in the Rangers XI back in the Championship days and has improved season after season just like the team he’s such an important part of.
He’s a player who had no previous connection to the club, who could have easily turned and headed back to England as soon as the going got tough following promotion to the top flight.
Yet, he stayed put and helped to drive standards back up to where they used to be. The ex-Newcastle prospect has now made a whopping 284 Gers appearances, scoring 63 goals and registering 89 assists.
Those would be excellent numbers for an out and out winger or an attacking midfielder. For a full-back, who’s also significantly improved the defensive side of his game in recent times, they are simply sensational.
Individual numbers aren’t usually enough on their own to bring you legendary status at Rangers, though.
Captaining a side that improves significantly over time and advances deep into European competition doesn’t tend to be good enough, either, if silverware doesn’t follow.
However, as of Sunday, Tavernier finally has a major title under his belt.
It’s not just any title, either.
55 is arguably the most significant and remarkable league triumph in the history of Rangers Football Club.
The 29-year-old has played as big a role as any player in bringing a decade-long major trophy drought to an end and, fittingly, when the time comes, it’s he who will hold the Premiership trophy aloft first.
Tavernier is currently Rangers’ 2020/21 top goalscorer, he’s officially a successful Rangers captain and now, he’s a Rangers legend.
