'The truth is...' - Keown: Rangers in 'Awkward' situation with player who could leave

James Tavernier faces an awkward future between himself and Rangers and the club must act ruthlessly, according to Gary Keown.

On page 92 of the Scottish Daily Mail [10 November], Keown suggested that Tavernier should no longer be anywhere close to first-choice for Philippe Clement moving forward if the club want to progress on the pitch.

The long-serving skipper has one goal and three assists in 19 games so far this season, with the Gers having kept nine clean sheets in all competitions ahead of facing struggling Hearts on Sunday [10 November].

“If [Tavernier] could defend as well as he delivers goals and assists, he’d be turning out for Barcelona and up for the Ballon D’or,” Keown said.

“It is becoming clearer why punters wanted him replaced in the summer. Dujon Sterling should remain at right-back if fit, and Nana Kasanwirjo an option, and it all leaves Rangers in a rather awkward position with captain Tavernier being talked up for a testimonial in the final year of his contract next term.

“It’s always tricky when long-serving players have reached their best-before date … yet the truth is this. Professional football is brutal. Results dictate all and that, eventually, extends to players as well as managers. The Ibrox outfit, on current form, can’t let their captain stay a first-team pick now and certainly not into next season.”

Rangers phasing out James Tavernier at Ibrox?

Unless Tavernier were to leave Rangers in January, it is unlikely the club will go hell for leather in looking to move him on.

By the time next summer rolls around, the club captain will be approaching 34 with 12 months remaining on his deal and a considerable mileage from his decade-long journey at Ibrox.

Any significant sell-on value will have diminished, and it may turn out he is granted his testimonial and allowed to take up one of the offers he will certainly receive, as a gesture of goodwill.

Keown discusses Tavernier’s impressive goal involvement down the years but he has not registered a goal or assist in his last 10 games, starting eight of those.

The return to action of Sterling and the option of Kasanwirjo give Clement plenty to consider, with a awful lot of football across several fronts still to be boxed off.

In other Rangers news, Scott Burns blasts what has been “unacceptable” from the Gers this year.

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