AliousJames Tavernier’s tenure at Rangers is a paradox. As club captain, he’s approaching 500 appearances, has netted over 100 goals from right-back, and will complete a decade at Ibrox this July—an incredible personal milestone. Yet, despite his undeniable contributions, his name is often associated with the club’s underachievement over the past ten years.
At 33, Tavernier has lifted just three major trophies, a meager return for a club of Rangers’ stature, particularly as they continue to play second fiddle to arch-rivals Celtic. His missed penalty in Rangers’ humiliating 1-0 Scottish Cup defeat to Queen’s Park last weekend felt like a defining moment, encapsulating both his individual journey and the broader frustrations of the club’s fanbase.
A **Daily Mail** report (February 13) highlighted the fallout from that miss, noting how it intensified criticism from supporters—many of whom were already convinced his time was up. Now, it seems inevitable that he will depart this summer, despite being under contract until 2026. Given previous transfer speculation, a mutual separation after ten years of service looks increasingly likely.
Tavernier’s legacy will acknowledge both his remarkable attacking output from defense and the commitment he showed to Rangers. However, there’s an inescapable sense that his time at the club could have been more rewarding. His career at Ibrox has been shaped as much by his own efforts as by Rangers’ mismanagement, particularly in the wake of their 2021 title-winning season under Steven Gerrard. That triumph should have signaled a period of sustained dominance, but instead, mediocrity has prevailed.
Fairly or unfairly, Tavernier is a symbol of that stagnation. With Rangers in need of renewal, the time has come for a fresh start—both for the club and for their long-serving captain.
Alious
