Rangers captain James Tavernier has broken his silence on the mounting pressure at Ibrox, insisting that despite recent setbacks, the Glasgow giants are finally turning a corner under manager Philippe Clement.
In an exclusive interview, the veteran defender addressed the growing concerns among the Light Blues faithful after a challenging start to the season that saw the club crash out of the Champions League and struggle for domestic consistency.
'We're Building Something Special' - Tavernier's Rallying Cry
'Things are looking up,' declared Tavernier with conviction. 'I know the fans have been frustrated, and rightly so. We haven't hit the standards we set for ourselves, but behind the scenes, there's a real belief that we're building something special.'
The Rangers skipper pointed to recent performances as evidence of the squad's growing understanding of Clement's philosophy, despite the disappointing results that have left them chasing arch-rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race.
Clement's Impact Behind the Scenes
Tavernier revealed the Belgian manager has been implementing significant changes since taking charge, focusing on:
- Tactical discipline and structured attacking patterns
- Improved defensive organisation throughout the team
- Building mental resilience for crucial moments in matches
- Creating a unified squad mentality across all players
'The manager has been clear about what he wants, and we're starting to see it come together on the training ground,' Tavernier explained. 'It takes time for new ideas to bed in, but the progress is undeniable.'
Addressing the Champions League Disappointment
The early exit from Europe's premier competition was particularly painful for a club with Rangers' continental pedigree, but Tavernier believes the experience has forged a stronger bond within the squad.
'European nights at Ibrox are special, and we felt we let everyone down,' he admitted. 'But sometimes you need those difficult moments to really test your character. The response from the boys has been phenomenal.'
Looking Ahead: Title Race Still Wide Open
With the Scottish Premiership campaign far from decided, Tavernier remains bullish about Rangers' chances of closing the gap on their Old Firm rivals.
'There's so much football still to play,' he emphasised. 'We know what this club demands, and we're ready to fight for every point. The fans will see a different Rangers in the coming months - I guarantee that.'
As the captain prepares to lead his team into a crucial period of fixtures, his message to the Ibrox faithful is clear: keep believing, because the best is yet to come.
