Ibrox View: No coming back for Rangers star if Clement does what's expected v St Johnstone

As sad as it is, it finally feels like James Tavernier’s time with Rangers is coming to an end.

The right-back has been a stalwart for the Ibrox outfit since arriving from Wigan in the 2015/16 season.

And, although the defender has always delivered when it comes to set-pieces, in recent months his lack of defensive capability has shone through, especially against Celtic during their 3-0 loss on 1 September where he was run ragged by Daizen Maeda.

Tavernier is just weeks away from turning 33 years old and it’s evident that new arrival Neraysho Kasanwirjo is a more stable option at right-back and is predicted to be chosen to play against St Johnstone on 6 October.

But, if Clement wishes to use someone who isn’t on loan, this could be the ideal time for Dujon Sterling to make his way back into the first-team fold and stake his claim for the starting right-back role.

If one of the two other options within Clement’s ranks are chosen to start on Monday, it could mark the overdue end of Tavernier’s Ibrox stay.

James Tavernier has passed his peak for Rangers

The Gers were one of the Scottish Premiership teams that changed the most during the summer transfer window.

The club axed veterans such as John Lundstram and Borna Barisic to make room for youngsters such as Jefte and Connor Barron.

Tavernier was also linked with a move as clubs from Turkey and Qatar [HITC, 6 September] were linked with his transfer throughout the window.

In fact, Cyrus Christie was even being mooted as a potential option for his replacement [HITC, 7 September] so, it was a surprise that the Englishman didn’t exit in the summer.

Instead, Clement chose to keep the right-back within his first-team fold and lo-and-behold, things haven’t quite worked out.

The defender is well past his sell-by date now and it feels as if things can only get worse from here on out.

With options such as Sterling and Kasanwirjo waiting to be called upon, it doesn’t feel like it makes much sense for Clement to play Tavernier against St Johnstone, especially if they want to be more solid defensively.

In other Rangers news, Philippe Clement has been torn to shreds over the Ianis Hagi situation.

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