Rangers have been urged to bring back former captain James Tavernier after a nightmare start to the campaign. The right-back left Ibrox last summer after 11 years, having scored 144 goals in 562 appearances in all competitions. He captained the club to the Premiership title in 2021, ending Celtic's bid for 10 in a Row, and reached a Europa League final, also winning the Scottish Cup and League Cup.
Halliday calls for Tavernier return
Despite his service, Tavernier's time in Glasgow ended under a cloud after a public fallout with then-boss Danny Rohl. But his former teammate Andy Halliday has called for Rangers to bring back the 34-year-old after the club crashed out of the Europa League following Thursday's 1-1 draw with Jagiellonia Białystok.
Halliday told BBC Sportsound: "I am going to say something that will be unpopular, but the first thing Rangers should do in terms of recruitment is phone James Tavernier tomorrow, honestly. He is an upgrade straight away, and you talk about characters - which has been labelled at James Tavernier for years - and we are talking about the ability to play under pressure, to try and make a creative difference, that is James Tavernier all over the back. Without a doubt it's an upgrade on what they have got."
Scrutiny and leadership
He added: "They [Rangers fans] wouldn't be happy, but there is talk of a new leadership group and new character, but the difference for me is being able to play under that scrutiny. James Tavernier never hid from that type of scrutiny and always got on the ball no matter the noise that surrounded him." When it was put to Halliday that it had been a "messy" departure, Halliday responded: "But it's a different manager."
Defensive and attacking targets
Rangers are also set to add to their struggling backline with left-back James Penrice inching closer to a move from AEK. A loan deal with option to buy is understood to be inching closer with the club ramping up their interest in the former Hearts man in the last 48 hours, following Tuur Rommens' injury. Rangers are also eyeing a striker to replace the injured Youssef Chermiti, with Portland Timbers frontman Kevin Kelsy an option. The Athletic report that the Ibrox side have put forward a $10m (£7.5m) offer for the attacker with talks ongoing over a deal.
