There comes a stage in every ageing footballer’s career when contract talks fade and everyone acknowledges that the exit door is approaching.
James Tavernier has reached that point. The Rangers captain will turn 35 this October.
Now in his 11th season at Ibrox, Tavernier has undoubtedly been a loyal servant for the club. Yet, time waits for no one, and barring unforeseen circumstances, he will depart when his contract expires in May.
Few Rangers players have divided opinion quite like Tavernier since his arrival from Wigan in 2015.
Supporters praise him for his goal-scoring exploits, which saw him become the highest-scoring defender in British football history in 2024 with his 131st strike. That milestone earned him a place in Rangers’ Hall of Fame. Since then, he has added another 19 goals, surpassing the 150 mark—a remarkable feat for a full-back, even accounting for penalties.
It’s hardly Tavernier’s fault that he played in some poor Rangers sides during his early years. In many ways, those teams would have been even weaker without him.
However, the statistics are undeniable. During his time at Rangers, Tavernier has competed in 30 major finals or competitions, having joined when the club was in the Championship. He has won just three trophies—the Premiership in 2021, the Scottish Cup in 2022, and the League Cup in 2023-24.
Despite Celtic’s dominance over the years, this is a modest haul given the number of opportunities. Chris Sutton jokingly dubbed Tavernier a “serial loser” ahead of the 2019 League Cup final, echoing private frustrations among Rangers fans.
Tavernier responded calmly, stating:
“People’s comments are irrelevant. I am here to do a job and fully believe in this squad. We have to win games and trophies. We haven’t come here to be second best. We have to win silverware for the fans.”
On that day, Rangers performed well but still lost to a 10-man Celtic team inspired by Fraser Forster—adding fuel for Tavernier’s critics.
Matches against Celtic have been particularly challenging for him. His record stands at 41 games played, 10 wins, six draws, and 25 losses, including heavy defeats such as 5-0 at Parkhead, two 5-1 losses, and a 4-0 Scottish Cup semi-final defeat. No player in Rangers’ history has lost more games to Celtic, which has fueled debate over his suitability as captain.
Yet, Tavernier has often been a victim of circumstance. Early in his career, he faced formidable Celtic sides with weak defensive partners, making some defeats inevitable. Rangers fans frequently blamed him for defensive lapses while excusing others’ poor performances.
To his credit, Tavernier has always owned his mistakes without excuses. He was a key figure as Rangers reached the 2022 Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt, falling just short after Aaron Ramsey missed a crucial penalty.
Had he played in a different era, he might have collected far more trophies, as less capable players often have. Those who have worked closely with him describe him as a consummate professional.
“I’ve got nothing but very good things to say about Tav,” said former interim manager Barry Ferguson.
“He was first in, last away, a brilliant trainer, a strong leader, and a real good player. He’ll not hide. He’s a strong character. Some criticism has been over the top, but he always fights and never shirks responsibility.”
Ferguson is far from the only manager to trust Tavernier; he has played under ten managers since Mark Warburton arrived, and they all valued his leadership and professionalism.
Age, however, will ultimately see Tavernier and Rangers part ways this May. In the meantime, with Dujon Sterling struggling, Tavernier is expected to start in the upcoming clashes against Celtic, including league and Scottish Cup fixtures. A final trip to Parkhead looms after the split, and these games will define both Rangers’ season and Tavernier’s legacy at Ibrox.
After so many near misses, Tavernier will hope to end his Ibrox career with glory.
