The BBC have produced more or less definitive data that Rangers captain James Tavernier is the Scottish Premiership’s most important, influential and effective player, as well as one of the best defenders.

In some eye-catching numbers, while Tavernier played 38 SPL matches in 2023 (because of some postponements) so quite didn’t feature as the most ever-present player (Greg Kiltie at 42), he came close to top on every barometer.

Goals scored, third, 20, behind just Shankland and Kyogo.

Assists, third, 9, behind O’Riley and Armstrong.

Tackles, third, 84, behind just McGinn and Philips.

Appearances, fourth, behind quite a few players.

So as defenders and attackers go, James Tavernier is the most effective player overall in the SPL, and the numbers feature him as the most consistent player to appear in all barometers’ top three.

Goals, assists and tackles. So in defending and attacking, he’s the best player at Rangers and the most overall effective in the SPL.

He’s third in each, and fourth in appearances.

While Tav gets a lot of criticism, not least from Ibrox Noise, there is no arguing with the numbers.

He has tackled more than any other Rangers player, scored more, and assisted more.

He is all-round Rangers’ most critical player – he outdoes his own defenders and his own attackers, and that of the bulk of the rest of the Scottish Premiership.

While he will always be blamed for this that and the next thing, there is no disputing the staggering impact he has on the team.

For appearances, goals, assists and tackles, Tavernier is without a doubt the most important player in Scotland.

Not the article you expected on Ibrox Noise to start your 2024, is it…