Rangers Captain James Tavernier Undeterred by Age, Aims for Continued Impact

James Tavernier, captain of Rangers, expressed confidence in his ongoing contribution to the team, asserting he is “more hungry than ever” following a period where he was not a regular starter. He recently rejoined the starting lineup in Perth. The 33-year-old defender had been listed as a substitute for matches against Dundee United and Nice, but he was reinstated to the first XI for the 1-0 victory over St Johnstone on Sunday. Due to the unavailability of alternative right-backs Dujon Sterling and Neraysho Kasanwirjo, Tavernier played a key role in the pivotal moment of the game in Perth, contributing to a second-half own goal by pressuring Jason Holt. He emphasized that his age and physical condition do not pose a problem. Tavernier stated, “I don’t see the age being a problem,” adding, “Three months ago I think I missed one game.” He continued, “OK, I’ve gone up one number in my age, but I feel fitter than ever to play every single game.” He acknowledged the change in circumstances, saying, “So it’s obviously different, unusual, but it’s down to me to be really professional and keep working really hard, and try to be a leader behind the scenes and really push the boys on and anyone who’s asked to put on the shirt has to perform.” He further commented on his preferred playing schedule, saying, “I’m used to playing three games a week, that’s what I really love to do. It’s what I’ve been used to for so many years.” This season, Tavernier has not yet scored in the Scottish Premiership, though he has contributed three assists across his 12 appearances. In the previous season, the defender recorded 17 goals and 10 assists. The league campaign before that saw him achieve 16 goals and nine assists. He maintained, “The stats and the numbers I put in are still right up there,” and added, “It’s just about me continuing to work hard and when asked to play, then deliver a performance.” Tavernier also reflected on his desire to play, stating, “You obviously want to be playing every single game. That’s just in your nature. But there’s a level of you’ve got to be professional and really help the team if you’re not.” He concluded, “And when asked to play, you’ve got to obviously make an impact.” After the victory at McDiarmid Park, manager Philippe Clement expressed his “conviction” that rotation would be beneficial for his captain, whose contract extends until 2026, while also acknowledging the player’s potential frustration. Tavernier remarked, “What I have done over the years, is I’ve kept on asking questions, kept on striving to be better, to keep putting in the numbers.” He reiterated his motivation, stating, “I’m more hungry than ever. I’ll always continue to push myself as much as possible to better myself.” Next summer, Tavernier is set to complete ten years of service at Ibrox, though he has not extensively considered his testimonial year. When questioned about reaching the 10-year milestone, he responded, “Obviously complete this season then that’s on the cards and it’s very unusual these days for testimonials and players being at clubs for so long. We will just have to wait and see.”