James Tavernier is not Rangers’ only problem, but he is one of them | OneFootball

If there is one symbol above all else of the Rangers that the club has been the past 10 years, it’s captain James Tavernier.

From the lower leagues, Tavernier remains the last ember of Rangers’ journey through the Third Division back to the Premiership, and if Rangers ever want to be winners, it starts there.

A big part

That’s right, James Tavernier, while not necessarily the only cause of Rangers’ continuing mediocrity, is clearly a big part of it.

That a Wigan reject who was surplus at the former JJB stadium was given to Rangers for a package deal with Martyn Waghorn hints at the level of the RB.

Waghorn managed to get his move back to the Championship and become a regular, but he sure never hit the heights of the PL.

Tavernier never even got an invitation.

Promotion

Instead he got a promotion to captain and Rangers really have never escaped that doldrum.

Again, for you Tav fans, we are not blaming him for everything. But when the past captains were Gough, Butcher, Amoruso and Barry Ferguson, it creates context.

An example was put to us. Arsenal’s rise from also-rans to strong PL title contenders under Arteta arguably began with the exit of Aubameyang. A great player but not a great character.

Arsenal

He didn’t fit at Arsenal, and his exit along with Aaron Ramsdale (whose demotion was so controversial) seems to have vindicated Arteta’s choices. Arsenal are now flying.

It is significant the difference the removal or addition of one wrong or right man can make.

Wes Foderingham was very average at Rangers, and had a nevertheless strong backing. As soon as Allan McGregor returned, suddenly the mindset changed. Wes was instantly forgotten and Rangers truly had a goalie at last.

The Tavernier era at Rangers has seen abject failure, and when we compare with that lot and their strong leaders like Brown and McGregor, there’s just no parity.

We’re sure Tav fans are foaming at us telling us we’re tims. Go and support the Parkhead lot! But the truth hurts, doesn’t it?

Tavernier has never been a Rangers captain, yet wears the armband.

And while that’s not the only reason we’re dire, it’s definitely one of them.