Rangers could line up entirely different when Philippe Clement picks his first line-up in the pre-season fixture programme.
The manager has already lost five senior players with several others tipped to move on and be sold to raise funds.
One of those could be the Rangers skipper with the news that James Tavernier is attracting interest ahead of what could be a busy summer for Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen.
Interest in Rangers skipper James Tavernier grows
The report from The 4 Official claims that more than one club is interest, but that there is a familiar face wanting to be reunited with a former on-field lieutenant:
“There is interest in Tavernier from a couple of Saudi clubs including Al-Ettifaq, the club managed by Steven Gerrard.
“However no concrete bid is on the table yet. Although there should be one soon. And once there is one, I hope I can report the figures as well.”
With Dujon Sterling already in the squad, Rangers have a ready-made replacement for Tavernier.
The 23-year old might not be in the same mould in terms of attacking output, however, he has already shown that he is a better defender, even on his weaker side.
It’s a lot of goals and assists for any team to lose – nearly 100 in his last three seasons – but there are ways to make up the shortfall.
Tavernier’s numbers are replaceable
Not since Rangers title winning season of 2020/21 has a winger or midfielder contributed double digits for goals and assists.
Abdallah Sima scored more goals than all the other wingers put together this season, and he showed how the position should be played for Rangers.
Ryan Kent’s tally of six in his last two seasons gets harder to fathom with every passing day.
Upgrading the wingers with players like Oscar Cortes, Yusuf Kabadayi and Adama Traore could pay dividends.
James Tavernier will be 33-years old early next campaign, thoughts of a mega-bucks move to Saudi Arabia need to be calmed but there should still be enough money on the table for Nils Koppen not to have to think twice.
It is money that could be spent and used to strengthen elsewhere.
