Mastiff: James Tavernier has been a great asset for the Rangers for many years. He has been an exceptional captain and an inspiration for the club. He obviously doesn’t have the legs to get up and down the sideline like he has done for years now.
Then: One of the best Rangers players since he signed. He carried the team for much of his 10 years. The so-called fans abusing him off the field are simply stupid and indicative of modern society. Have some respect for what he achieved and for being Great Britain’s all-time scoring defender. He greatly deserves his testimony.
Dave: Tavernier has often been criticized for his defensive weaknesses, but his offensive impact has kept him as the first choice. I think he’s a weak captain and probably should have been replaced with a real leader a long time ago. However, his contribution to the team during a long and difficult time has been immense. Unfortunately, however, he ran out of time.
Matthew: I have always been quick to defend Tav but the demands of leading our club for nine years would take their toll on anyone criticized so frequently. It’s time for a successor to come forward. Our finishes are terrible, but Tav has been covering up the cracks for a long time. We have often asked ourselves “where would we be without your goals?” Now we are discovering it.
Andrew: Clemente is deceived. It’s not about the Tavaners’ current form, but simply finding someone who can score a goal.
Liam: Of course, his attacking influence has been less effective, but is that because the coach has told him to stop making overlapping forward runs? You don’t stop making these runs just as an attack-minded player. The Rangers have struggled without his offensive presence and need it now more than ever due to a lack of edge up front.
Ronnie: If Tav doesn’t score goals or provide assists, then he is literally not worthy of a starting position.
Then: Tavernier should have been transferred two years ago. His ego and arrogance far exceed his ability. He always got his way because he was a great goal threat. Those days are long gone and even his crossing ability has become a case of success and hope rather than the precision of yesteryear. Furthermore, he has never ever been a leader.
Alasdair: Clement finally realized that despite his match-winning performances, he is not a good defender and is a weak link in the team that rival teams target. His forward play and probing crosses have dropped significantly this season, so I think it’s time to put someone else in the right-back position.
Stephen: Tavernier may be suspect defensively, but his goals scored and assists are amazing. What other player has contributed so much? However, Rangers fans consistently support Tavernier. If it weren’t for his goals and assists, where would Rangers be? If I were Tavernier, I would have left in the summer to start over.
Gary: Tavernier has given a lot to Rangers over the last nine years, but his time at the club is over unless he can be prepared to be just a squad player from now on and help the younger players in the team. With age, you decline and that has been evident over the last season.
Then: Tav should have been phased out 16 months ago. That’s why we brought in Dujon Sterling. A combination of Sterling’s versatility, the team’s weakness in other positions, injuries, Tavernier’s captaincy and Sterling’s “fitness” have all contributed to Tav being exposed in his testimonial year when, in reality, we should have left him go.
blue eck: Tav has proven over the years that he knows what it takes to be a Ranger and especially a Ranger captain. I would ask that he be respected, but he himself maintains his dignity and does everything for the team. Remember, he has almost single-handedly gotten this team out of tough situations. I respect!
Then: Tav has never been a good defender and should have played further forward in the past. However, since the beginning of the year he has seemed a shadow of himself. Sterling looked like a much better option against Olympiakos.
