Rangers Captain James Tavernier’s Starting Role Examined

James Tavernier was not in the starting lineup for Rangers’ Europa League match against Olympiakos, which ended in a draw. This decision prompted former Rangers winger Neil McCann to ask, “What does that say to the captain?” after manager Philippe Clement chose to introduce Neraysho Kasanwirjo instead of Tavernier during Thursday’s game in Greece. Earlier, other former Ibrox players, including Ally McCoist, Steven Thompson, and Alan Hutton, had highlighted the significance of Clement’s choice to bench Tavernier in Piraeus. However, the substitution made in the 52nd minute appeared to carry even greater weight. With the score still level, Dujon Sterling, who had taken Tavernier’s place in the initial lineup, was substituted for Feyenoord loanee Kasanwirjo early in the second half. Tavernier eventually entered the match for the final five minutes, though he was utilized in a more advanced position on the right flank. Clement attributed his decision to managing the 33-year-old’s playing time, but McCann expressed concern that the Belgian manager’s confidence in Tavernier might be diminishing. Appearing on BBC Sportsound, the former Rangers winger posed the question: “Does that substitution say Clement trusts Kasanwirjo more than Tavernier as an out-an-out defender?” He then added, “It probably does to me.” For his entire nine-year tenure at Rangers, Tavernier’s defensive capabilities have consistently faced scrutiny, regardless of the validity of such doubts. Nevertheless, the Englishman has largely overshadowed these concerns with his exceptional offensive contributions, boasting an impressive record of 126 goals and 132 assists across 478 appearances. Yet, following a summer marked by transfer rumors, there are now worries that his attacking influence is waning. His statistics for the current season show one goal and three assists. This decline has led to calls from the Rangers fanbase for a change at right-back, with these demands intensifying after Tavernier’s challenging performance in Sunday’s League Cup semi-final victory over Motherwell. Rangers: ‘Mentality I want to see every game’ – Philippe Clement The captain, who was also not in the starting XI for last month’s league win against St Mirren, was substituted in the 67th minute at Hampden and subsequently omitted from the lineup for Thursday’s fixture in Greece. While it remains uncertain if the outcome would have differed had Tavernier started, it is evident that both Sterling and Kasanwirjo delivered commendable defensive performances against a subdued Olympiakos attack. Clement commended his “really solid” defence and praised his midfield for their contributions to the draw, a result that extended Rangers’ unbeaten streak in away Europa League matches to five, matching their longest such run in the competition’s history. The clearest indication of Tavernier’s standing in Clement’s hierarchy is anticipated on Sunday when Hearts visit Ibrox. However, the Belgian coach emphasized his desire for leadership to emanate from multiple players within the squad. Regarding his choice to bench Tavernier, the Rangers boss stated: “It’s never an easy decision, but I want more than one captain in the group.” He further elaborated: “If you [get to] a certain age you can’t play 60 games at the same level. We knew that before the season and we spoke about that. “It’s about competition for spots. It’s about one team, winning together. That’s Rangers – one team, one family, going for one goal.” After nine years as a consistent presence in defence, the question arises: is Tavernier no longer Rangers’ preferred right-back? If this is the case, who will assume that role? And what implications does this have for the captaincy at Ibrox moving forward?