The transfer window is only just around the corner and Rangers will be looking to provide Philippe Clement with players who can sustain a genuine title challenge.
The manager will want his own squad with more resilience, a younger profile and players who better fit the player trading model, however, he will also want a core of experienced professionals to guide those who might be less experienced.
Rangers will need all the good players that they can get and one who Philippe Clement is keen to see in his line-up next season has already been at the centre of speculation that has had a new update.
Rangers future explained by James Tavernier
James Tavernier has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and with a reunion with former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq.
The Light Blues captain will be 33-years old next year as he approaches 10 years at the club and he could be forgiven for letting his mind wander to sunnier climbs given some of the pressure he has been under in his time at Ibrox.
With 24 goals and 10 assists already this season though, it’s easy to see why Clement has the opinion that he has of the Rangers number two when asked what his plan is for him and fellow defender Connor Goldson:
“Yes, I expect them to be here next season, that is my expectation.
“My players come to speak with me if they have doubts or if they want to go or if they are out of contract. We have that relationship.
“If I need to speak to every player where there is a rumour about, then we won’t train too much.”
Writing on X, football journalist Ben Jacobs has provided an update on the speculation that has been around for nearly a year:
“Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq are not looking to sign Rangers’ James Tavernier despite links.”
Several sources have reported the link, however, it’s an easy one to make given the circumstances of the player and of Gerrard’s side.
The Rangers skipper is going nowhere
Clement will already have a big turnaround of players on his hands and the last thing he would want is to lose two who can, largely, be relied upon to be consistent, even if there have been doubts about their form recently.
As Britain’s highest ever scoring defender, Tavernier will continue to hit the headlines as he sets his sights on catching up on those on the elite list of world-renowned names.
Another 50 goals at Rangers might be a stretch, but with no indication of an exit from the club, few would put it past him.
