James Tavernier’s story of a return as player coach has certainly caught the internet on fire. This one surfaced through Joe Tiffany and was then disputed by the Rangers Journal. Both of these sources are good, and there’s the problem. The first problem that we have is that Tiffany got the Danny Rohl story correct.
That is that there was an embargo on reporting Rohl’s departure, but that it absolutely was happening. This was before the likes of Chris Jack and other outlets started to mainstream report that story. Of course, that turned out to be true. Consequently, him making a claim that James Tavernier is coming back as player coach, or at least is being discussed as it, doesn’t mean that it is not true just because other sources, more Rangers inclined, dispute it.
Exactly this. Tavs no coming back, we are moving forward with a new look leadership 👇 https://t.co/qi4NjSTMSJ
— The Rangers Journal (@RangersJournal) June 27, 2026
Why the claim carries weight
The Rangers Journal we have no problem with, and they are honest Rangers fans. But we suspect that there is smoke with fire here. That is to say that James Tavernier has almost certainly been discussed internally, and the wording of Tiffany’s post did confirm only that it was something being mooted, being worked on. It didn’t say that it was being finalised or had been confirmed or verified. It simply said that it was being looked at. Of course, the devil is in the detail. Just because it was discussed, or potentially being worked on, doesn’t mean either Tavernier himself wanted it or that it had come close to finalisation.
The likely outcome
The Rangers Journal and other sources have confirmed that the story is not going to happen, or have claimed so, which would be to the relief of a great portion of the Rangers support. It does seem like Tavernier is not coming back as player coach, but that the idea was there. We suspect, in reality, that Tavernier himself doesn’t want to come back as player coach. He has had his Rangers adventure.
It went sour at the end with how it finished. Even if Rangers did want him back, we suspect now that it is water under the bridge for him and he wants a new challenge. Nevertheless, it does appear that Tavernier will not be returning to Rangers, so those who were against that idea can sleep easy tonight.