Latest news with #Tavernier
STV News
7 hours ago
- Sport
- STV News
Tavernier: We have to take advantage of Ibrox atmosphere in Euro clash
James Tavernier says Rangers will look to use the Ibrox atmosphere to their advantage when they take on Panathinaikos to get a good first leg result and avoid having to chase the game in the intense Greek heat next week. 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
Daily Record
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
James Tavernier reaches a decade on Rangers rollercoaster as one constant remains amid yet another clean slate
Tavernier led Russell Martin out as captain and now works for him as Champions League chance rolls around again James Tavernier has spent a decade spinning round the Rangers rollercoaster. More often than not, he's finished up crashing into the buffers. But for all those repeated disappointments, the Ibrox skipper is still setting out with the hope that this year's thrill ride will be the one that stays on track right until the triumphant end. Sunday marked the 10th anniversary of the day the right-back arrived in Glasgow alongside Wigan team-mate Martyn Waghorn as part of a joint £200,000 swoop. Tavernier has certainly repaid that sum in goals down the years. But silverware has been harder to come by for a man crowned British football's highest ever scoring defender. He picked up his solitary league winner's medal under Steven Gerrard in 2021, with a Scottish Cup coming a year later under Gio van Bronckhorst only days after his side had lost out on Europa League glory in Seville. He completed the set under Philippe Clement with Gers' 2023 League Cup success but that's scant reward for 10 years at Ibrox. Yet, as he begins life under Russell Martin on Tuesday tonight - his seventh full-time boss since joining the club - the excitement levels remain as high as they were the day Mark Warburton brought the 33-year-old to the club back in 2015. 'My wife sent me a picture this morning to remind me that it was my tenth anniversary at the club,' he grinned. 'So yes, it's gone quickly, really quick. 'I've said in previous years, all the years of being here have been a rollercoaster. But throughout it all, I've always given 110% no matter what and I'll continue to do that. 'I always want to win. That's always been instilled in us as a little boy. I've always wanted to win no matter what. If it's playing PlayStation against my son or it's playing a match or in training, I always want to win. 'So I'm always going to continue to do that until even later in my career and even after I've retired and something that I'll go into afterwards, I want to win whatever I do. 'I'm always excited for every season to begin because it's always a fresh slate. 'The philosophy that the manager wants us to play with the ball and off the ball. It's going to be intense and that's been shown in the preseason that we've been doing - lots of running and the games behind closed doors and just the implements that he wants us to play and you'll see a real big difference of how we played over the past few years to this season. 'It's obviously been a quick four weeks during pre-season. The training's been really intense. The manager's really drilled in his philosophies of how he wants to play as a team, the structure. So the boys have really taken it on board and we're really looking forward to tomorrow night. 'I think you'll see in the way we play, with the ball and without the ball. I think that'll be evident when tomorrow unfolds and as the season unfolds, you'll certainly see a different style of play that I've probably not played since I've been here. Back in 2018 when Martin was spending a brief stint at Ibrox on loan as a player, he was being led out by Tavernier. Now he's the man barking the orders. 'I've had a couple of conversations with some of the younger lads, letting them know my age and that I've played with him and that I was captain! 'But, it's been really smooth and the conversations that we've been having, you can see his mindset of what he wants. And that's the bright side of it and what he's demanding from us as a team, me myself and it's really exciting. 'Could I see his managerial credentials back then? Typically not when you play. He was a really intelligent footballer, had a great career. 'But you obviously saw what he was starting to build when he went to Swansea, and obviously Southampton. 'The way he wants his teams to play. So it's obviously different compared to what he was playing as a player, but it's nice to see.' The heat will be on Gers tonight as they kick-off their Champions League campaign against Panathinaikos at Ibrox. But with temperatures around the 35 degree mark expected in Athens for next week's return, Tavernier knows Gers can't afford to be caught cold. He said: 'We want a positive result just to show everybody what we're capable of, what we're working to. 'But obviously, we want to put ourselves in a good position going over there. We know it's going to be a hot one over there in the second leg, so you obviously want to try and prioritise getting this first leg, hopefully with a clean sheet with a few goals, and then you can go over there and the other team has to chase. Our objective is to win tomorrow.'
Scotsman
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Rangers reap benefits of La Liga and Real Madrid experience - even if it didn't go according to plan
Defender could oust Tavernier as club's first-choice right-back 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... Intrigue surrounds the arrival of Max Aarons at Rangers. The 25-year-old Englishman has joined the club on a season-long loan from Bournemouth and arrives at Ibrox with a good reputation. His position is right-back, the spot that club captain James Tavernier has made largely his own for ten years. A pretender to Tavernier's throne is in town. Aarons is an attack-minded, modern-day full-back with energy and pace. He is new head coach Russell Martin's first signing. He doesn't appear to be a man here to warm the bench. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Max Aarons is driven to succeed at Rangers. | SNS Group With Dujon Sterling out with a long-term Achilles issue, it is a straight fight between Aarons and Tavernier for the right-back spot. The new boy responded diplomatically when asked if he would need to displace the skipper on his first press duties as a Rangers man. 'When I look back, nearly every club I've been at it's been a similar situation where the right-back has been the captain,' Aarons said. 'But you know, Tav's a great guy who has been a really successful player here, so anything I can pick up from him will be amazing. 'But obviously I'm here to hopefully put my marker down and play as many games as I can and contribute to a successful season.' Could Aarons and Tavernier play together at Rangers? There could be room for both Aarons and Tavernier. Martin may choose to adopt the back-three he used as Southampton boss. Last season, Tavernier was deployed as a centre-half at times and performed admirably. But Rangers have already brought in one new centre-half in Emmanuel Fernandez and have been linked with a couple more, including Leicester City's Conor Coady. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We may find out more on Martin's plans for his right-backs on Sunday when Rangers play their first pre-season match against Belgian side Club Brugge. It is their first match ahead of a challenging Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos. Aarons is delighted to be involved. He was given a glowing endorsement of life at Rangers by Tavernier's brother Marcus, who was a teammate at Bournemouth. 'I'm fully aware of the expectation levels, the challenge, whatever you want to call it, that lies ahead,' he said. 'Obviously I believe in the project here and with the manager coming in here, the players that are being signed to add to a squad that I already think is a really good group, I can sense there's a real positive feel around the place every day now. I believe I'm ready to come here and earn a spot.' Max Aarons is on loan at Rangers from Bournemouth. | AFP via Getty Images Aarons is making up for lost time after a season of being in the wilderness. Under Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, he found first-team opportunities last term hard to come by and spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Spanish side Valencia. However, he only started one La Liga match - albeit a memorable one. Aarons played 75 minutes as Valencia, threatened by relegation for much of the campaign, defeated Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu. 'That was amazing,' he smiled. 'I think in the seasons before I'd played near enough 40 games each season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'That was probably in the experience that got me through at that point because I hadn't played for months before being thrown in what would probably be one of the toughest games in Europe. Valencia stint a big help for Aarons 'I felt great until the 75th minute when the legs went. But, yes, it was a really good game and a successful night. So, yeah, that was amazing. Those games and those little bits of experience that you pick up along the way stand you in good stead to come to a club like this with this expectation.' Aarons believes six months away from his comfort zone at Valencia prepared him well for moving to Scotland and that he is a better person and player. 'For sure, that helped massively,' he said of his development. 'I obviously went there to play, but everything else, from a life point of view and experience, on and off the pitch, it taught me a lot. 'It's a big club there as well and a lot of expectation there. When I went there, we were down at the bottom. It was a great experience.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Max Aarons helped Valencia defeat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu earlier this year. | AFP via Getty Images Aarons has past experience of working with Martin while a teenager at Norwich City and is excited about linking up with the Scotland internationalist again. 'Obviously I played with the manager,' added Aarons. 'It crossed over for a little bit then he came here [Rangers] himself on loan as a player. 'That was when I first broke through at Norwich. We had a really good relationship back then and the same with Matt Gill, the assistant here who was my under-18s and under-21s coach.
Scotsman
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Rangers reap benefits of La Liga and Real Madrid experience - even if it didn't go according to plan
Defender could oust Tavernier as club's first-choice right-back 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... Intrigue surrounds the arrival of Max Aarons at Rangers. The 25-year-old Englishman has joined the club on a season-long loan from Bournemouth and arrives at Ibrox with a good reputation. His position is right-back, the spot that club captain James Tavernier has made largely his own for ten years. A pretender to Tavernier's throne is in town. Aarons is an attack-minded, modern-day full-back with energy and pace. He is new head coach Russell Martin's first signing. He doesn't appear to be a man here to warm the bench. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Max Aarons is driven to succeed at Rangers. | SNS Group With Dujon Sterling out with a long-term Achilles issue, it is a straight fight between Aarons and Tavernier for the right-back spot. The new boy responded diplomatically when asked if he would need to displace the skipper on his first press duties as a Rangers man. 'When I look back, nearly every club I've been at it's been a similar situation where the right-back has been the captain,' Aarons said. 'But you know, Tav's a great guy who has been a really successful player here, so anything I can pick up from him will be amazing. 'But obviously I'm here to hopefully put my marker down and play as many games as I can and contribute to a successful season.' Could Aarons and Tavernier play together at Rangers? There could be room for both Aarons and Tavernier. Martin may choose to adopt the back-three he used as Southampton boss. Last season, Tavernier was deployed as a centre-half at times and performed admirably. But Rangers have already brought in one new centre-half in Emmanuel Fernandez and have been linked with a couple more, including Leicester City's Conor Coady. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We may find out more on Martin's plans for his right-backs on Sunday when Rangers play their first pre-season match against Belgian side Club Brugge. It is their first match ahead of a challenging Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos. Aarons is delighted to be involved. He was given a glowing endorsement of life at Rangers by Tavernier's brother Marcus, who was a teammate at Bournemouth. 'I'm fully aware of the expectation levels, the challenge, whatever you want to call it, that lies ahead,' he said. 'Obviously I believe in the project here and with the manager coming in here, the players that are being signed to add to a squad that I already think is a really good group, I can sense there's a real positive feel around the place every day now. I believe I'm ready to come here and earn a spot.' Max Aarons is on loan at Rangers from Bournemouth. | AFP via Getty Images Aarons is making up for lost time after a season of being in the wilderness. Under Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, he found first-team opportunities last term hard to come by and spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Spanish side Valencia. However, he only started one La Liga match - albeit a memorable one. Aarons played 75 minutes as Valencia, threatened by relegation for much of the campaign, defeated Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu. 'That was amazing,' he smiled. 'I think in the seasons before I'd played near enough 40 games each season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'That was probably in the experience that got me through at that point because I hadn't played for months before being thrown in what would probably be one of the toughest games in Europe. Valencia stint a big help for Aarons 'I felt great until the 75th minute when the legs went. But, yes, it was a really good game and a successful night. So, yeah, that was amazing. Those games and those little bits of experience that you pick up along the way stand you in good stead to come to a club like this with this expectation.' Aarons believes six months away from his comfort zone at Valencia prepared him well for moving to Scotland and that he is a better person and player. 'For sure, that helped massively,' he said of his development. 'I obviously went there to play, but everything else, from a life point of view and experience, on and off the pitch, it taught me a lot. 'It's a big club there as well and a lot of expectation there. When I went there, we were down at the bottom. It was a great experience.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Max Aarons helped Valencia defeat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu earlier this year. | AFP via Getty Images Aarons has past experience of working with Martin while a teenager at Norwich City and is excited about linking up with the Scotland internationalist again. 'Obviously I played with the manager,' added Aarons. 'It crossed over for a little bit then he came here [Rangers] himself on loan as a player. 'That was when I first broke through at Norwich. We had a really good relationship back then and the same with Matt Gill, the assistant here who was my under-18s and under-21s coach.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Rangers clue hiding in plain sight about James Tavernier many failed to spot
The Rangers clue hiding in plain sight about James Tavernier many failed to spot It feels symbolic Russell Martin's first Rangers signing is a right-back. A position that was previously impenetrable. After all, who was going to shift the skipper, James Tavernier? READ MORE: Dor Turgeman 'wants' Rangers move as Igamane and Dessers transfers to clear final hurdle with fee revealed Advertisement READ MORE: Owen Beck wanted for Rangers transfer but there is one condition For a decade, he's pretty much been untouchable at Ibrox. And with good reason. Let's be clear here, Tavernier has been one of this club's greatest EVER signings. When you think of what Mark Warburton paid for him in 2015, a paltry £200,000 - and what Rangers have got in return - it was a phenomenal piece of business. Everyone knows Tavernier hasn't won enough trophies. And he's been culpable for some big goals, in big games. But that shouldn't detract from what he's produced in a blue shirt. More than 500 games, 130 goals. Advertisement As well as winning every domestic trophy, he led Rangers to a European Final in 2022 - and was top scorer in the competition. Overall, Tavernier has been outstanding. A worthy inductee into the Ibrox Hall of Fame. But every player has a shelf-life at a particular club and all good things must come to an end. With new American owners in Govan and Martin in charge, this is the start of a new era for Rangers. And going into his 10th season, even Tavernier himself must feel this will be his last in Glasgow. That's why the signing of Max Aarons feels so significant. Rangers' James Tavernier celebrates as he scores to make it 3-2 Before now, Tavernier hasn't had serious competition for that right-back slot. Advertisement Most punters felt Dujon Sterling was the man to replace him when Michael Beale brought him in two years ago. But injuries - as well as a need to deploy him in different areas of the pitch due to deficiencies in Rangers' team - ensured that wasn't going to happen. There have been others. Nesayro Kasanwirjo couldn't do it last term. Mateusz Zukowski, remember him? He was another who couldn't live with the captain. But the loan capture of Aarons feels different. The Bournemouth player isn't coming to Ibrox to sit on the bench. He's turned down other moves, in England and abroad, to join Rangers. So he's expecting to play. Advertisement And crucially, he's Martin's guy from their Norwich days. It was ironic that when Aarons announced his arrival on social media, one of the first to wish him well was his Cherries team-mate - and Tavernier's younger brother - Marcus. He'll know better than anyone that Aarons is signing at Ibrox to try to take James' shirt. And that's the way it should be. A lack of healthy competition in every position has been one of the reasons why Rangers have failed to win titles in recent years. New Rangers boss Russell Martin If Aarons starts the campaign as the club's new right-back, it obviously raises questions over the captaincy. There is no doubt that - in his testimonial year - Tavernier will remain as club captain. Advertisement Martin said that himself at his unveiling as gaffer. Fans picked up on it and assumed the manager would still see his old Ibrox team-mate as a first-pick. Martin claimed there was no reason to switch the armband. But the quote people failed to digest followed that answer. He also said: 'But like every other player, James will have to prove he's worth a place in the team." That was a warning shot from the new Rangers boss. And it told me that he'd be looking for someone to put pressure on Tavernier from the off. Aarons is that player. I expect Martin to sign at least one potential captain in this transfer window, someone with natural leadership qualities. Advertisement Conor Coady, who he's after from Leicester, is an obvious example. So while Tavernier remains skipper, don't be surprised if one of Martin's targets leads the team in a lot of games. Conor Coady of Everton -Credit:Getty Images That's not to say Tavernier won't have a role to play on and off the pitch - far from it. Coming up for his 34th birthday, he still looks fit as a fiddle and has been doing extra work in Dubai over the summer. And if Rangers are going to seriously challenge Celtic for the title, Tavernier WILL have a crucial part to play. But he might not be the 50 or 60-game a season marathon man he's been in previous seasons. And at the end of the campaign, if Martin has put silverware in the Ibrox trophy cabinet, that's all that will matter to him and Tavernier. Advertisement The new gaffer will have got it spot on, especially if Aarons proves to be an astute signing with his displays. And for Tavernier, it could see him going out on a high at Rangers, which he deserves. For his goals, assists, commitment, durability and loyalty to the club, it would be a fitting end to his time at Ibrox. And if he's looking for a glamour testimonial game against his boyhood club Leeds United - Rangers' new owners and their links to Elland Road should be able to sort it out for him.
