As far as Rangers legends go, there is probably only one who has earned the moniker since the club’s financial collapse.
There are many different factors which contribute to a player entering the annals of Ibrox history and rest-assured supporters will rarely agree on every one of them.
But for Rangers captain James Tavernier – the subject of criticism as the armband weighs heavy – the arguments against thankfully fall on deaf ears inside Ibrox.
The marauding right-back’s contribution to the club has been legendary over his nine seasons at Ibrox, Tav joining way back when Mark Warburton took over in the Scottish Championship in 2015.
But after one Premiership title, both domestic cups, a run to the Europa League Final, a return to the Champions League and the glory of the Petrofac Cup – who could forget – the end of an era may well be upon us.
Tavernier wanted in Saudi
Before we discuss the latest surrounding James Tavernier, it’s important we get a few things straight.
Yes the Rangers right-back has been anything but a flawless defender in his near-decade at the club, but Tav’s contribution going forward has been immense.
British football’s highest scoring defender ever, the return of 125 goals and 129 assists (254 contributions) in 460 games is genuinely astonishing.
But as the groans from the stands get louder, James Tavernier could be about to pay the ultimate price amid a Philippe Clement-led Rangers rebuild.
Coming off the back of his highest scoring season to date – Tav netted a quite remarkable 24 times last season to finish the club’s top scorer – an exit apparently beckons.
Steven Gerrard, the man who made Tavernier captain at Rangers, has been extensively linked with a move over the last few weeks.
The Liverpool legend is now in Saudi Arabia in charge of Al-Ettifaq and there has been chatter aplenty surrounding the Rangers right-back and fellow stalwart Connor Goldson.
Now, one Rangers fan media outlet – who have already got one major transfer story correct this summer – have just claimed Tavernier is about to strike it rich in the Middle East after all.
Rangers captain tip follows Nsiala claim
The Gallant Few podcast has claimed this week that Rangers captain James Tavernier has agreed a move to Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq.
This is certainly in keeping with Rangers News exclusively revealing Saudi interest in the right-back earlier in the year.
The outlet claims it is ‘confident’ James Tavernier has negotiated an exit from Rangers whilst speaking on a live podcast on social media platform X.
Before Rangers fans write these guys off, it’s worth noting that the Gallant Few Podcast were discussing Clinton Nsiala well before a move to Rangers was completed.
The transfer of the young French AC Milan centre-back was completed on the 10th of June, with the signing pretty much out of the blue.
That’s despite the podcast discussing the Rangers interest six days previously.
Now we don’t claim to have any fresh insider information with regards the future of James Tavernier but the discussions around the Rangers captain continue almost daily.
Saudi Arabia is a lucrative option for players heading into the twilight of their careers and financially it would be hard for the Ibrox skipper to turn down.
Rangers too would be taking advantage of perhaps their final opportunity to cash in on the captain.
We cannot say that we won’t be gutted to see the Ibrox skipper leave even against the backdrop of criticism this season.
Perhaps Tavernier’s hopes of a Rangers testimonial will also be dashed should a switch come to fruition.
