Rangers transfer window has been a strange one with Philippe Clement scrambling to build the team that he needs to qualify for the Champions League.
The manager is up against it in terms of needing to sell players and having to replace five senior members of the squad too.
That number could rise to six if Rangers decide to accept the current offer on the table for James Tavernier from Trabzonspor.
Rangers considering James Tavernier transfer offer
Speaking towards the end of the season in response to speculation linking the skipper with a move to Saudi Arabia, the Gers boss was quick to play down rumours:
“Yes, I expect them to be here next season, that is my expectation.
“My players come to speak with me if they have doubts or if they want to go or if they are out of contract. We have that relationship.
“If I need to speak to every player where there is a rumour about, then we won’t train too much.”
During the training camp in the Netherlands Clement had to field questions about why Tavernier hadn’t been seen against Standard Liege or Ajax despite taking in training.
Social media was littered with rumours about what the future held for the 32-year old but the reports from very reputable sources suggesting Tavernier is keen to join Trabzonspor have really accelerated things.
Conversations have turned from whether or not to sell him, to how much Rangers should be looking to get for him.
It shouldn’t be a hard decision.
Clement obviously values what Tavernier is capable of in terms on being an attacking outlet.
His goal and assist return has continued to be ridiculous as he approaches his mid-thirties.
The problem in recent years has been that much of Rangers attacking game plan has been built around Tavernier.
Rangers need to replace Tavernier higher up the park
Other than Abdallah Sima, who could yet come back, Rangers just haven’t had any wingers capable of producing the sort of numbers that a team who dominates possession should.
Nils Koppen is using a more data driven approach to recruitment but it would be almost impossible to replace Tavernier on a like for like basis.
If the next right-back can manage even 10 goal contributions in total, the winger in front of them has to come up with 20 – a figure that should be the minimum.
It is the right time to sell Tavernier.
There is a ready made replacement in Dujon Sterling who has shown on the wing that he can contribute in the final third.
The key signing this summer is on the right wing with Cortés likely to hold down the left-hand side.
Get the recruitment right and Rangers should be in a good place.
The sale of Tavernier doesn’t need to be used for a right-back, it needs to find a winger who can produce the numbers that the captain does.
