'Big, big call' - Chris Jack backs Clement to make new Tavernier decision at Rangers

Chris Jack believes Philippe Clement will stick with James Tavernier when Rangers face Celtic in the Scottish League Cup final in December.

The Old Firm rivals are set to go head-to-head at Hampden Park on Sunday 15 December, and the current Gers captain has often been criticised for his displays in important fixtures.

With Dujon Sterling returning from injury and Neraysho Kasanwirjo comfortable in the right-back position, Tavernier has been taken out of the starting XI on multiple occasions recently.

However, speaking via The Rangers Review YouTube channel [15 November], Jack shared if he believes Tavernier will start against Celtic: “Yes, as it’s Clement picking that side. I would be picking Dujon Sterling, I think many people would, but I think it will be Tavernier.

“It’s a big, big call for him not to. I think we will see a continuation of the rotation, with Tavernier starting on the bench more, but when it comes to the Celtic game in the final, and probably the game in January, it will be Tavernier.

“There’s nothing to suggest that Clement would make that decision not to be Tavernier, even though it probably shouldn’t and history shows it probably shouldn’t.”

Should James Tavernier start for Rangers v Celtic?

In such an important clash against their Old Firm rivals, experience and knowledge would normally come before anything else, but Tavernier has failed to impress many fans this season.

The 33-year-old has been slated throughout the 2024/25 campaign, with many supporters at Ibrox regretting the club’s decision not to offload him during the summer transfer window.

Of course, the captain cannot be fully blamed for the side’s poor performances so far, but he is certainly part of the problem from right-back, as a player and as a leader.

There has been a clamour for Sterling to start ahead of him in the full-back position, something which seems to be finally getting through to Clement, but it is likely that the manager will revert back to the veteran when facing the Hoops.

That decision is bound to frustrate the majority of fans, with the right-back struggling to gain any real momentum on the pitch, but Clement will feel that he can trust the player in a cup final.

In other Rangers news, the club have shown no inclination to extend the deal of a player whose contract runs out in 2026.

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