Tavernier: We have to take advantage of Ibrox atmosphere in Euro clash
The captain, who is preparing for his tenth season at the club, is aiming for a win to take to Athens for the second leg of the Champions League qualifier.
Rangers are hoping to return to the top competition for the first time since the 2022/23 campaign, and Tavernier knows they will likely need a victory in Glasgow to give them the best chance of progressing further.
They have been particularly strong at Ibrox in the Europa League in recent seasons, with the passionate home support helping them over the line on many occasions.
And as new head coach Russell Martin is set for his first competitive game in the Rangers dugout, the skipper wants nothing less than a strong start.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Tavernier said: 'We have to take advantage of Ibrox, with our fans and aim to take a good result over to the second-leg.
'And then obviously focus on the game over there when that comes.
'We want to show everyone what we are capable of and what we are working to do.
'Our objective is to get the win at home, and we have to make sure we get the job done. You have to set a tone in every single game, from the first whistle.
'We want a positive result to show where we are at and show everyone what we are capable of, and put ourselves in a good position to get through.
'We know it's going to be a hot one over there for the second leg, so you obviously want to prioritise getting a good result in the first leg, hopefully with a clean sheet and a few goals, then we can go over there knowing they will have to chase the game.'
Tavernier is excited for what is to come under Martin after being impressed by the early signs of another 'fresh start'.
He said: 'You will see on Tuesday, and as the season goes on, a different style of play both on and off the ball.
'You have to win games here; that is the demand at this football club. We really want to put in a performance against Panathinaikos.
'I'm really excited with the philosophy of the manager, both on and off the ball; it is going to be intense.
'In football, you see the squad change every season.
'A lot has changed around the club. It is a fresh start for the club, and we are all really excited to get behind it.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
22 minutes ago
- Metro
Rio Ferdinand urges Man Utd to 'break the bank' for Premier League midfielder
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has encouraged the club to 'break the bank' for Carlos Baleba, claiming the Brighton midfielder would have a 'huge impact' on Ruben Amorim's squad. Determined to put their wretched season behind them, Old Trafford bosses have set out their stall by bringing in Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha for a combined fee of around £125million. Teenage defender Diego Leon remains the only other addition this summer, but the Red Devils are working hard behind the scenes to further strengthen across a number of areas. The lack of a genuine goalscorer is perhaps the most pressing issue at the United on the back of a disappointing season for both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who managed just seven goals between them last term. A host of big-name centre-forwards have been linked with moves to the Theatre of Dreams since the transfer window opened, from RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko to Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. But United are understood to have some reservations about Sesko's eye-watering €70-80m (£61-70m) price tag, while Gyokeres appears set for a switch to Arsenal after several months of incessant speculation. The latest reports suggest Ollie Watkins has come to the fore as a potential option, with talks underway to gauge whether a deal might be possible for the Aston Villa and England man. According to Ferdinand, Watkins would represent a 'very good addition' to Amorim's attacking ranks, despite some concerns over the player's age. 'I think he would be a very, very good addition to the Manchester United squad. He scored 17 goals last season, 14 assists in 54 appearances,' the ex-United defender said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel. 'He's 29, that's the only drawback for Manchester United, there's not going to be any sell-on value which I understand is an issue, but you've got to look at the here and now with Manchester United.' Ferdinand believes a player of Watkins' experience could be key, with the forward able to set the 'benchmark' for youngsters still making their way in the game like Hojlund, Zirkzee and Chido Obi. He added: 'Manchester United need experience at the top of the pitch. They've got Hojlund, Zirkzee and Chido… young, inexperienced players. 'They need someone to look at and go, 'That's how you play as a number nine, that's how you do it!', and when you buy someone who hasn't got as much experience as I'd like, I think that's another risk. 'I think Watkins would be a very good addition for the younger ones to look at and go, 'Yeah, that's the benchmark of someone who knows how the play the role'. 'He's done it consistently at the top level for the last few years, he's scored goals, Champions League football as well.' If United are not 100 per cent sold on any of their attacking targets, though, Ferdinand feels his former club should go all out for 'Amorim-type player' Baleba. 'Would I be happy with Manchester United going into the season as we are now? No. I want one more, I'm being greedy. I want a striker and if I don't get a striker, I'd go midfield,' the six-time Premier League winner continued. 'You're probably thinking, 'Who would you go and get?', and there's only one name I'm thinking about, I'm going to be honest, guys, who I think fits the bill for what we need. 'He's an Amorim-type player as well. Physically, he's great. He can drive with the ball, he can take it in all areas, very good tactically, great energy, great legs, Premier League experience, central midfield… Baleba. 'That's who I would go and get, that's the one I would go and get. I'd go and break the bank.' He went on: 'If I got the money for the four players [Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia, Antony and Jadon Sancho] that are surplus to requirements now, would I go and get a number nine or would I go and get Baleba? Would I get a number nine I'm not sure about, who is a bit young, inexperienced, or would I get Baleba who has Premier League experience? I'm going Baleba. 'That's who I'd get, I think he would have a huge impact on this squad and on this team. 'It would ease up a few people in that midfield as well because they would have a little less responsibility defensively because he's all-action, he can do it all.' Baleba enjoyed an excellent season at the heart of Fabian Hurzeler's engine room last term, making 40 appearances in all competitions and chipping in with four goals. Having signed Baleba for a fee of just £23.5m from Lille in 2023, the Seagulls stand to make a tidy profit on the Cameroon international should they decide to sell. The 21-year-old's current contract at the Amex Stadium runs through to June 2028. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Virgil van Dijk reveals the first thing he said to Liverpool signing Hugo Ekitike MORE: Alan Shearer accuses Newcastle of lying as Liverpool target Alexander Isak MORE: Arsenal announce signing of 'intelligent' £13m Valencia star Cristhian Mosquera
Scotsman
22 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Hibs have it all to play for after averting danger in Denmark - a big Easter Road European night awaits
Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Easter Road will be lively next Thursday when Hibs welcome FC Midtjylland to Edinburgh for the return leg of this Europa League qualifier, with the tie deadlocked at 1-1 following a competitive first leg in Denmark. Midtjylland reached the knock-out phase of last season's competition and recently took part in the group stages of the Champions League, yet Hibs stood up to the task. Overcoming this opponent remains a big ask, but David Gray's men have a fighting chance back at what should be a sold-out home venue. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hibs showed all the resoluteness of the team that finished third in the Premiership last term to earn a score draw. They defended stoutly and were only undone by an individual piece of brilliance from Adan Simsir with a sumptuous free-kick midway through the second half. That strike cancelled out Jamie McGrath's seventh-minute opener for the visitors - also from a set-piece - although it wasn't quite as flashy, the Irishman given assistance by a shoddy piece of goalkeeping from Jonas Lossl. Hibs took the lead on seven minutes when Jamie McGrath, left, scored on his debut. | AP Hibs deserved that break. They worked tirelessly all night at the MCH Arena, where more illustrious teams have crumbled. Goalkeeper Jordan Smith was solid. The back three of Warren O'Hora, Rocky Bushiri and Jack Iredale stood up to an aerial bombardment, especially from set plays, and the highly-regarded Midtjylland striker Franculino was kept in check. In midfield, Dylan Levitt and Josh Mulligan dovetailed nicely in their first match together, while wing-backs Chris Cadden and Jordan Obita put in a shift. Ahead of them, the attacking trio of McGrath, Martin Boyle and Kieron Bowie all carried their own threats. This was a proper team effort. Midtjylland manager Thomas Thomasberg exuded confidence when this draw for the second qualifying round was made last month, saying he fully believed his team would prevail. Such bullishness may have come down a notch given how despite dominating possession, the Danes toiled to find a way through a well-organised Hibs. Gray and his coaching staff will take great pride in the way his players executed their gameplan. In possession, they were a 3-4-1-2 that countered swiftly, dropping into a 5-4-1 without the ball. Hibs were a disciplined unit all night, and did not miss key defender Lewis Miller, who was absent due to injury. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hibs debutants play their part Mulligan and McGrath made their debuts and both had telling impacts. Mulligan was asked to fulfil the role so aptly performed by Sunderland loanee Nectar Triantis last season and did so. McGrath has settled into this Hibs team seamlessly too and showed his prior European experience with Aberdeen. Record signing Thibault Klidje also came on later to make his first appearance in green and white. After enjoying what the town of Herning has to offer prior to kick-off, more than 1000 Hibs fans squeezed into the away end and celebrated joyously on seven minutes when their team took the lead. From out wide on the left, McGrath spotted that Lossl had edged over to his far post and whipped in his effort towards the other side. The ex-Huddersfield keeper could not get across in time and the ball crept over the goalline before he clawed it away. Midtjylland took a while to settle but once doing so they displayed good composure on the ball. They probed away at Hibs, yet found no opening. In fact, the visitors had the ball in the net again on 41 minutes when Boyle scampered through on the counter, only to be denied by a tight but correct offside flag. The Australian will have to wait at least another week for his 100th goal for the club. The Hibs players left it all out there in Herning against Midtjylland. | AP Midtylland found another gear in the second half. Hibs were content to soak up the pressure. Thomasberg turned to his bench in search of inspiration but it was one of his starters in Simsir who eventually unlocked the door on 72 minutes. A foul by Iredale gave away a free-kick central of goal but some 25 yards out. The 23-year-old Turk expertly bent the ball over the wall and past a helpless Smith. It was a strike of real quality. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Nevertheless, Hibs remained unflustered. Boyle saw a half-chance slip away from him before making way for Klidje. The home crowd got exasperated and tempers started to fray on the pitch too, with Hibs happy to time-waste and frustrate their hosts. Smith, Iredale, Obita, O'Hora and Alasana Manneh all picked up yellow cards. Battle will recommence next Thursday in Edinburgh. A third qualifying round date with Norwegian side Fredrikstad awaits the victors, with the losers dropping into the Conference League to play either Oleksandriya of Ukraine or Serbian side Partizan Belgrade, who won the first leg 2-0 away from home.
Daily Record
22 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Celtic and Ajax fans clash as tempers flare and pints fly during Como Cup defeat
Brendan Rodgers' side were well beaten and a number of fans let themselves down as Dutch and Scots launched pints at each other Tempers flare between fans at Celtic and Ajax friendly Celtic's Como Cup defeat to Ajax was anything but friendly as fans clashed off the pitch. The Premiership champions and the Dutch giants went head-to-head for a place against the hosts in Sunday's final, and it was Johnny Heitinga's side who won the right to face off against Cesc Fabregas' men. A sizeable Ajax contingent made the game at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia along with the travelling Celtic support. But things got ugly in one of the prettiest venues to play football in Europe. With Ajax cruising to a comprehensive win, there were unsavoury scenes in the stands, where fans were able to enjoy a beer from their seat while watching their team. Except a number of Hoops fans decided to make their way towards the perspex barriers separating punters behind the goal and start launching their pint pots towards the Ajax fans and stadium security staff. The sparked a response from the other side of the clear screens, with Dutch supporters making their way down from their seats to start returning fire. It's a desperate look from both sides, especially with a pilot scheme allowing Scottish fans to buy a beer at their own ground ahead of certain games operating back home this summer. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
