Rangers concluded the transfer window with a sense of disappointment after failing to address key areas of their squad.
However, it was clear that Philippe Clement had an eye on the future when reshaping his team, sticking closely to Nils Koppen’s player trading model as part of a long-term plan to bring sustained success back to Ibrox.
The signing of Neysharo Kasanwirjo stands out as a prime example of this approach. The versatile defender is seen as a potential long-term replacement for club captain James Tavernier, and that transition might happen sooner than expected.
James Tavernier could still leave Rangers
According to transfer journalist Graeme Bailey, speaking via HITC, several clubs are considering a move for Tavernier. Clubs from Turkey and Qatar are reportedly keeping tabs on the Rangers captain.
Bailey, in an exclusive interview with Rangers News, believes that Tavernier may have been pushed closer to the exit after the fallout from Rangers’ defeat to Celtic in the Old Firm derby.
“I understand that a number of clubs have been alerted to the fact that James Tavernier could be available,” Bailey revealed.
“The abuse that was dished out to him following the Old Firm clash was something that was noticed, and now there is a real chance he could move.
“It would be a real shame for me to see Tavernier, a true Ibrox legend, leave in this way. The goals and assists he has managed in a Light Blue have been phenomenal, and the treatment he has received, I think, is nothing short of disgusting.
“If he does leave, it will be like the end of an era—the last player from the Europa League final team to depart. But I don’t think it’s anything to celebrate, that all of them have gone within two years. This current Rangers XI, in my opinion, couldn’t hold a candle to that team.”
Time is right for Rangers to sell Tavernier
Tavernier, now 32, has long been linked with moves away from Rangers and was once again subject to transfer rumours over the summer.
A name already etched in Rangers’ Hall of Fame, his career in Scotland has been far from smooth, despite impressive statistics. Yet, for a large portion of the fan base, he has often come up short in key Old Firm encounters.
As one of the club’s highest earners and with his 33rd birthday fast approaching, Rangers may consider cashing in on the defender. Dujon Sterling, a natural right-back, has not yet enjoyed an extended run in his favoured position, and Kasanwirjo offers similar versatility.
While neither Sterling nor Kasanwirjo possess Tavernier’s attacking prowess, they offer stronger 1v1 defensive capabilities and are more focused on stopping threats rather than creating them.
After the abuse Tavernier endured in the wake of the Old Firm defeat, it would be understandable if the captain sought a break from the relentless pressure of Glasgow’s footballing goldfish bowl.