Rangers captain James Tavernier has refused to be drawn on whether he will remain at Ibrox beyond the current season, with his contract set to expire this summer.
Contract Talks Kept Behind Closed Doors
The 34-year-old right-back, now in his 11th campaign with the Glasgow club, was tight-lipped when questioned about his future. Tavernier confirmed there have been discussions but insisted they would remain private, stating curtly: ‘There have been talks behind the scenes but they will stay private’.
It is unclear if the veteran skipper features in manager Danny Rohl's long-term vision for the team. However, his importance to the current squad is undeniable as Rangers fight to insert themselves into the heart of the Scottish Premiership title race.
Focus Firmly on the Old Firm and Title Push
All attention is currently on Saturday’s pivotal away match against Celtic. A victory at Celtic Park would see Rohl’s side draw level on points with their city rivals, closing the gap to league leaders Hearts.
This scenario seemed improbable earlier in the season when Rangers dropped 13 points in their first seven league games under previous manager Russell Martin. Tavernier praised Rohl’s transformative impact, highlighting the team's improved consistency and adaptability.
‘From where we were in the season, some people might have completely written us off,’ Tavernier said. ‘We’ve had to keep our heads down and just keep chipping away. We have to keep our consistency high, we can’t afford to drop standards.’
He added: ‘We always want to be in that shout (for the title race). Consistency is always the key... We’ve had setbacks but overall we’ve worked really hard to try and put ourselves in it.’
Preparing for Celtic's New Tactics
Tavernier revealed that Rangers are meticulously preparing for the tactical challenge posed by Celtic’s new manager, Wilfried Nancy, and his 3-4-3 formation. The team's analysts have done their homework, and the players are focused on executing their own game plan.
‘We want to be aggressive without the ball and on it, try to be composed, get to their final third and create chances,’ he explained. Acknowledging the hostile atmosphere at Celtic Park, Tavernier emphasised the need for composure. ‘You have to stay calm... You have to embrace it and give it your all.’
For now, the future of the club captain remains a subplot to the main event: a season-defining Old Firm derby and a relentless pursuit of the Premiership title.
