Rangers Told To Make Signing Fans ‘Wouldn’t Be Happy’ About Tomorrow | OneFootball

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Rangers should pick up the phone to James Tavernier tomorrow, despite it not being a popular move with many fans, former Gers star Andy Halliday believes.

The Gers were dumped out of the Europa League qualifiers on Thursday night when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Polish club Jagiellonia.

They had been widely expected to see off Jagiellonia and move towards the Europa League league phase, but now the club are facing a Conference League playoff round tie.

McInnes has made a raft of signings since he took over as Rangers manager, but is yet to gain a single win, which has piled on the pressure.

Against Jagiellonia, McInnes involved eight new signings throughout the 90 minutes, as he changed shape to try to win the match.

For Halliday, Rangers need to make quality signings and he feels that Gers legend Tavernier would be an instant upgrade at right-back.

The former midfielder accepts that some Rangers fans would be unhappy if the club brought Tavernier back, but feels that the experienced defender can cope with the pressure of playing for the Gers and never hides during games.

“The first thing Rangers should do in terms of recruitment is phone James Tavernier tomorrow, honestly”, Halliday said on BBC Radio Scotland (13th August, 21:47).

“He is an upgrade straight away.

“You talk about characters, which has been labelled at James Tavernier for years, and we’re talking about the ability to play under pressure and not be afraid to make mistakes, to try and make a creative difference, that’s James Tavernier all over the back.

“Without doubt it’s an upgrade on what they’ve got. Without doubt for me.

“Absolutely not, they [Rangers fans] wouldn’t be happy, but everybody’s talking about this new leadership group and character, but for me the difference is being able to play under that scrutiny.

“I think James Tavernier has never hid from that type of scrutiny. He always got on the ball no matter the noise that surrounds him. Always trying to make a difference.”

Tavernier departed Rangers in less than ideal circumstances after he fell out with then manager Danny Rohl.

Rangers are looking to bring in a right-back, with Club Brugge’s Hugo Siquet a target for the Glasgow side, while they could recruit at left-back too given Tuur Rommens’ injury.

The Ibrox side could well make at least another three to four signings before the window closes, but there is pressure on McInnes to get Rangers winning now even before they come in through the door.