If there’s a Rangers legend we rarely discuss on Ibrox Noise, it’s James Tavernier. Yes, that’s right, we used the word ‘legend’ in reference to him.
We used to be Tav’s biggest critics. Indeed, long ago, back in the days of Martyn Waghorn, we penned a piece about how the pair were finished at Rangers following some miserable form.
Waggy did indeed move on not long later, but Tav stuck in there.
He even went through further form dips – we’ll never forget how he was blamed for Young Boys’ goals in Switzerland, and Steven Gerrard was about the only Rangers man defending his captain.
And yet here he is, 7 years on from joining us and approaching testimonial territory.
This is a player who is completely immune from being dropped but especially in the past three years has earned that right with sheer performances, and we have to point at his utterly incredulous stats both in Europe and domestically particularly during the first half of 55.
He’s kept that form up – even last season it was, for a RB, a stonking array of numbers:
18 goals, 17 assists in 58 appearances. Utterly ridiculous achievements for a defender. And of course, on whoscored’s lucrative ratings system he was POTY for the whole SPL. Even for defensive work he was outstanding, 7th in the league for tackles.
His market value is said to be around £10M, but that’s conversative. It’s more like £30M+ because he’s completely unsellable and Rangers wouldn’t consider it unless a crazy bid arrived.
Tavernier, very much, reminds us what we recall a Gers fan saying 20 years ago about Arthur Numan – underappreciated but we will simply not be able to replace him when he’s gone and we’ll miss him terribly.
Borna has maybe filled some of the Dutchman’s gap but that took pretty much two decades.
Tavernier is a jack of all trades and replacing a player who does as much as he does while leading by example would be impossible.
He’s a player who doesn’t really get the credit he fully deserves, but it is nice to see the abuse he used to take has whittled down to very little.
It’s taken Tav a long time to truly win fans over, but he’s a mainstay now and there’s barely a fan alive who has a bad word to say about him anymore.
Surely that’s qualifying to be a legend?
Without a doubt, Tav has become a legend! Captain that stopped the 10 and stepped up time and time again and all the way to a Europa League Final. When he hangs his boots up, he’ll be on that Wall of Fame right under McGregor and Davis.
The ones that don’t see him as a legend, hold Lee Wallace in a higher regard!
Don’t think there can be an argument undefeated title winning captain is definitely enough not to mention his benefit to the team never injured scores assist and now can defend alot better than before does it at all levels anyone who says he isn’t a legend doesn’t understand football
Agree totally . I too was an early critic in his first season . How wrong I was , he’s a credit to himself , his family and a Legend of the Famous. Both as a player and as a captain. There is only a couple that are better than him in British Football.
I’ve always liked Tavernier as a footballer but like most had doubts about his defensive capabilities and have always said I didn’t think he was Captain material. I still think he is not MY type of Captain but respect that he has completely turned that view around in many fans eyes. His performances, his demeanour and his behaviour on and off the pitch is in keeping with a Rangers Captain (just think of thug Scott Brown and you’ll know what I mean) and for that he should be applauded. I saw Jim Duffy in the media today saying he thinks he is better than the 2 right backs that Man Utd have signed for around £60m and he is amazed that big EPL clubs haven’t taken a punt on him. I couldn’t agree more.
Has anyone noticed recently that Tavs actually not just lead by example ? but he’s actually screaming at other players, and being a lot more vocal. Something i used to always say in comments was we need a captain tht will bark n shout at others if its needed, which previously Tav lacked but this season hes been dishing it out which is amazing and great to see. He really has become an all round brilliant captain….. Legend !
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