Tavernier to leave Rangers in summer after 11 years

Captain James Tavernier will leave Rangers at the end of the season, after 11 years at Ibrox.

The 34-year-old said on Instagram departing at the end of his current deal "hasn't been an easy decision".

"This club has been a huge part of my life and my family's over the past 11 years," he said.

"It's given me so much, both on and off the pitch and from the moment I arrived, I've always tried to give everything I had to represent it in the right way.

"To have had the honour of being made captain of this club since 2018 is something I will always be incredibly proud of. Leading this team out, wearing the armband and being trusted in that role has meant more to me that I can properly put into words."

The Englishman added "this isn't the end just yet", without confirming where he would be next season.

Second-placed Rangers are in a three-way fight to win the Scottish Premiership, with Hearts one point ahead and defending champions Celtic two points off the Ibrox side with five games to play.

"There is still a season to finish and we are fully focused on pushing for the league title," Tavernier said. "I will continue to give absolutely everything, as I always have until the very last day.

"My focus right now is on finishing this season the right way, together."

Former Newcastle player Tavernier was signed by Mark Warburton from Wigan in the summer of 2015, when Rangers were in the Scottish Championship.

He helped the Ibrox side win that division and captained the team in the absence of the injured Lee Wallace as Warburton made way for Pedro Caixinha.

When Steven Gerrard arrived as Rangers manager in 2018, Tavernier became captain full-time as Wallace's contract ran down and was a pivotal part of the Gerrard title-winning team, Giovanni van Bronckhorst's Europa League finalists and Scottish Cup-winning side and Philippe Clement's League Cup victors.

Tavernier also wore the armband during Graeme Murty, Michael Beale, Barry Ferguson and Russell Martin's brief stints as boss. This season under Danny Rohl since October, the defender has not been an automatic starter, with Dujon Sterling often preferred at right-back.

Jack Butland and Nico Raskin have deputised as captain, with both still under contract next season.

"We've shared the highs and the lows together and some truly incredible moments along the way," Tavernier said.

"To all the players I've shared the pitch and dressing room with over the years, thank you. The bonds that we've built, the battles we've been through and the memories we've created are what make this game so special.

"To the staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes every single day, thank you for everything you've done for me and for the team. Your support often goes unseen, but it has never gone unappreciated.

"And to the fans, your support home and away, through every high and every difficult moment has meant more than I can ever fully express. You are the heart and soul of this club and it has been a privilege to play in front of you."

In 2024, Tavernier scored against Hibernian to become British football's highest scoring defender with 131 goals.

As a right-back, the Englishman has scored 144 goals in 562 Rangers appearances and 152 overall.

In 2021, after netting 19 goals in 46 Rangers appearances, he was voted PFA Scotland's players' player of the year.

He has been Rangers' predominant penalty taker since 2017 and has regularly scored from free-kicks.

He made 123 club appearances before moving to Glasgow, with his first senior goals coming on loan at Rotherham from Newcastle.

Tavernier also turned out for Gateshead, Carlisle, Sheffield Wednesday, MK Dons, Shrewsbury and Bristol City.

Eleven years' service at one club, most of those as captain, is increasingly rare in contemporary football, outside exceptions like Callum McGregor and James Forrest at Celtic, more so as the long-serving full-back had no previous connection to his club.

Comparison with those figures is perhaps the thing that will frustrate the Englishman - and Rangers fans - most when he reflects on his time at Ibrox.

Too often, trophies eluded him as Celtic scooped them up. Stopping Celtic earning 10 titles in a row was enormous but too often it was a case of close but no cigar and at Rangers, that's not good enough. The expectation is to win – the trophy return just doesn't reflect that demand.

That said, Tavernier was often dragging Rangers through difficult times near single-handedly. As Rangers churned through managers, Tavernier remained a steady, talented and significant constant. One wonders where they would have been on their turbulent journey without him at certain points.

His individual stats going forward are astonishing, his goals, set-piece technique and assists a fountain of joy for Rangers supporters. Defensively, he could be caught out but he more than delivered and often in big moments.

Too often, though, disappointment was the end result. He has faced criticism at times in his Rangers career and perhaps familiarity and a lack of silverware bred that, despite all his attributes.

At 34, it would seem the right call to depart. Tavernier commands a sizeable salary and his appearances and impact have diminished.

There will no doubt be real motivation from all at Rangers to send their captain off on the highest of highs with a second Premiership title to his name to further cement his position in the club's hall of fame.

Rangers fans, what do you think of the news that Tavernier is departing after 11 years? And how will you reflect on his time at the club?

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