Rangers captain James Tavernier has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season, after an 11-year spell at Ibrox.
The 34-year-old right-back, who is British football’s highest scoring defender, has led the Glasgow side for the past eight years. He has scored 144 goals in 562 Rangers appearances and 152 goals overall.
Tavernier announced his departure in an Instagram post, stating that the decision “hasn’t been an easy decision”.
Tavernier’s Ibrox Legacy
Tavernier won the Scottish Premiership in 2021, the Scottish Cup the following year and the League Cup in 2023. He also captained Rangers in their 2022 Europa League final appearance, which they lost on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt.
He reflected on his time with the club: “This club has been a huge part of my life and my family’s over the past 11 years. It’s given me so much, both on and off the pitch and from the moment I arrived, I’ve always tried to give everything I had to represent it in the right way.
“To have had the honour of being made captain of this club since 2018 is something I will always be incredibly proud of. Leading this team out, wearing the armband and being trusted in that role has meant more to me that I can properly put into words.”
From Championship to Captain
Tavernier was signed by Mark Warburton from Wigan in the summer of 2015, when Rangers were in the Scottish Championship. He helped the Ibrox side win that division and captained the side in the absence of the injured Lee Wallace.
When Steven Gerrard arrived as Rangers manager in 2018, Tavernier became captain full-time. He was a pivotal part of the Gerrard title-winning team, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Europa League final and Scottish Cup-winning side and Philippe Clement’s League Cup victors.
Tavernier also wore the armband during Graeme Murty, Michael Beale, Barry Ferguson and Russell Martin’s brief stints as boss.
Thanking Teammates and Fans
“We’ve shared the highs and the lows together and some truly incredible moments along the way,” Tavernier said.
“To all the players I’ve shared the pitch and dressing room with over the years, thank you. The bonds that we’ve built, the battles we’ve been through and the memories we’ve created are what make this game so special.
“To the staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes every single day, thank you for everything you’ve done for me and the for the team. Your support often goes unseen, but it has never gone unappreciated.
“And to the fans, your support home and away, through every high and every difficult moment has meant more than I can ever fully express. You are the heart and soul of this club and it has been a privilege to play in front of you.”
Tavernier added “this isn’t the end just yet”, without confirming where he would be next season.