The 32-year-old is wanted by Trabzonspor but all he is thinking about is how to bring success to Ibrox
Committed James Tavernier has guaranteed his sole focus is Rangers as the Ibrox captain batted away fervent speculation surrounding his future.
The 32-year-old is wanted by Trabzonspor but all he is thinking about is how to bring success to Ibrox as he turns his attention to Saturday’s Scottish Premiership opener away to Hearts. Boss Philippe Clement hinted after the bonkers 4-4 draw with Union Berlin that it was no guarantee that the Englishman would follow the likes of Connor Goldson, John Lundstram and Borna Barisic out the exit door.
And now Tavernier – fronting up after watching Celtic turbo charge to the double – hasn’t wavered in his dedication to the Rangers cause. Speaking to Rangers TV, the skipper said: “”I just don’t take any notice, basically. There has been speculation for a long time now if it’s a year and a half.
“I addressed it towards the end of last season, I am fully committed to the job in hand. That’s where my mindset will always be, fully committed, coming day by day and trying my extreme hardest to push myself and the team on. To do what I do every single day is to be a professional footballer, it’s like I’m 18 again. “Every single day there is joy for me to come in to train, I am living the dream.”
And Tavernier has shed light on the injury woe which reduced him to a bit-part figure during pre-season. But the captain reckons extra time to recuperate was a blessing in disguise. “Obviously, it’s unusual for me to miss (game time), it was the perfect time to rest. My hip flexor, I had a bit of fluid in there, it was the perfect time not to push through it and let it settle down. Sitting on the sidelines watching the lads training, it was hard to do but my body feels a lot better now. Getting two games under my belt before the season starts was key. Personally, I am ready to go. You get to see the level to see where everyone is at.”
And Tavernier talked up Philippe Clement and he is utterly adamant the Belgian is the man to usher in success during a shift in strategy at Ibrox over transfers. Chairman John Bennett wants to reduce losses and younger players will get their shot. He said: “It’s always good to see a new season coming, when you see the dates. It’s hard work and preparation which gives you value for the season. You can’t wait for the season to start, and with it being around the corner, the boys have worked extremely hard across pre-season. We’ve had a lot of information from the gaffer, the tactics and how we want to play is really positive.
“Each manager always has their type of way they want to run the team. It’s a lot of football-based work in the pre-season. We have added extra running. But that’s been the main thing,we want to get through pre-season at the fitness levels the manager wants them at. They’ll become better with the first few games and the match fitness will kick in.”